Electrolux will expand its Lenoir County dishwasher production plant, creating 97 jobs and investing $18 million in the area during the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $200,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Electrolux is the world’s largest manufacturer of kitchen appliances and equipment for cleaning and outdoor use, with sales in more than 150 countries. Its brand names include Eureka, Frigidaire, WeedEater and Poulan. The company has been manufacturing home dishwashers at the Kinston facility, its only North Carolina location, since 1989. The plant currently employs about 870 workers.

Elextrolux plans to produce a new product line of stainless steel dishwashers at the Kinston facility, which was selected over potential locations in Mexico and China for the expansion.

The new jobs will be primarily skilled manufacturing positions and while individual wages will vary greatly, the average weekly wage will be $772 plus benefits, well above the Lenoir County average of $495 a week, not including benefits. The majority of the company’s $18 million investment will be used for state-of-the-art equipment for the new dishwasher product line. Production is expected to begin in early 2007.

"Along with the skilled and experienced workers in the Kinston and Lenoir County area, Electrolux has been impressed with the interest and support demonstrated by the State of North Carolina," said Keith McLoughlin, CEO of Electrolux Major Appliances Division in North and Latin America. "Our experience at the Kinston factory shows that we can produce the extremely high quality product that research shows consumers of these premium dishwashers insist upon."

The One North Carolina Fund assists the state in recruiting and expanding quality jobs by providing financial assistance to businesses or industries deemed by the Governor to be vital to a healthy and growing state economy. Through the use of this Fund, more than 17,000 jobs and $2 billion in investment have been created since 2001.

Other partners who helped make this announcement possible include the N.C. Department of Commerce, the N.C. Department of Transportation, Lenoir County and Lenoir Community College.