U.S. - Blum Inc. is planning to invest USD 16 million in plant upgrades and new hiring in its North American headquarters in Lincoln County, NC. 

The company’s USD 16 million investment in Lincoln County includes USD 7 million for equipment upgrades that will improve the speed and efficiency of Blum’s fully automated warehouse, which ships high-end cabinet hardware across the country. Another USD 6 million will go toward new machinery, equipment and tools used in manufacturing hinges, drawer runners and lift systems. The remaining USD 3 million will pay for building upgrades.

The new investment follows a USD 4.4 million solar panel installation at the plant, which began generating electricity last year. The power generated helps fuel Blum’s operations and also provides enough electricity to the grid to power 300 homes. The project includes 6,600 solar panels located on the facility’s roof and reflects Blum’s commitment to sustainability.

Increased demand has resulted in a 13 percent increase in revenue over the last two years at Blum. Blum Inc. is the North American subsidiary of Julius Blum GmbH, a producer of functional hardware for cabinets and furniture based in Hoechst, Austria. The family-owned business employs nearly 7,000 people worldwide with annual sales of USD 1.8 billion.