Hitachi Energy has announced plans to invest over $10 million in the expansion and modernisation of its distribution transformer facility in Jefferson City, Missouri, US to provide additional capacity and enhance its manufacturing capabilities.
The expansion, which comes as the company celebrates the facility’s 50th anniversary, highlights the rapid growth in demand from utilities and for newer applications like data centres, battery energy storage and solar and wind power generation.
“Hitachi Energy’s expansion in Jefferson City is an important development for the company and the State,” stated Governor Mike Parson. “As Hitachi Energy celebrates its 50th anniversary as a premier employer here in Central Missouri, we are pleased to see its ongoing support of the regional economy and commitment to bringing good-paying jobs to the community. We are happy to play a role in supporting that success.”
According to Hitachi, Jefferson City factory is one of the global tech company’s largest transformer manufacturing facilities, spanning an area of more than 600,000 square feet and hosting approximately 950 employees.
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The factory, which has been in operation since 1972, produces liquid-filled pad-mount and submersible distribution transformers for the electric grid, commercial buildings and industrial facilities.
Distribution transformers adjust and stabilise the voltage of electricity flowing between the grid and homes or businesses, ensuring an efficient, reliable power supply for millions across the region.
Hitachi Energy’s latest investments are intended to support the establishment of an additional production line for larger distribution transformers, which will address the unique specifications of renewable power generation and some of the most technically advanced data centres.
Steve McKinney, senior VP and head of Hitachi Energy’s transformer business in North America stated: “As electricity emerges as the backbone of our entire energy system, more and more sectors of the economy are depending on us to deliver reliable distribution transformers.
“As a result, we are seeing demand grow faster than most factories can support. As a commitment to our customers and accelerating the clean energy transition, we continue to invest aggressively to ensure that our Jefferson City location can help address that demand.”
As part of this modernisation effort in the US, investments have been made in automated equipment and changes in factory processes to reduce factory cycle times and improve on-time performance.
For the expansion, Hitachi used the Missouri Works programme, a tool that helps companies expand and retain workers by providing access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation.
