South Tidewater News

The Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) has approved Hermes Abrasives USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Germany-based Hermes Abrasives and a global leader in industrial abrasive materials, to receive an Economic Development Investment Program (EDIP) grant in the amount of $100,000. Over 60 months, Hermes Abrasives USA will invest $5.6 million, purchasing and installing new machines in order to integrate new production lines, and improving brick and mortar infrastructure. The company will return its narrow belt production line to the facility, which was moved from Virginia Beach to Mexico in 2019. To support the increased manufacturing, the company will create 30 new jobs in the City of Virginia Beach.

Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, Hermes Abrasives manufactures a variety of coated and bonded abrasives and grinding tools. The company has a significant presence worldwide with major offices in Canada, UK, France, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Singapore, China, Mexico, and the U.S. (Virginia). The company’s Virginia Beach facility, established in 1981, currently manufactures 60% of Hermes’ full product portfolio and is the flagship facility for its industrial-scale sandpaper product, primarily used in the automotive and woodworking industries.

“This is an exciting announcement from an industry leader that has called Virginia Beach home since 1981,” said Chuck Rigney, interim director for Virginia Beach Economic Development. “Hermes Abrasives’ continued investment further establishes Virginia Beach as a successful location for those in the advanced manufacturing sector.”

“Hermes Abrasives has proudly called Southeastern Virginia home for over 40 years. Though we have grown and changed with the times, we are excited about the potential expansion and development that we have planned over the next five years,” said Brad Sorgen, president of North American operations. “With nearly $6 million in planned capital investment, Hermes is looking to increase its overall manufacturing footprint to better service its hundreds of customers throughout North America.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads Alliance to secure the project for Virginia and will support Hermes Abrasives’ job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP), which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. VJIP is state funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens.

“The expansion of an international manufacturer which located to Hampton Roads in 1981 speaks to the stability and growth of the manufacturing industry in Virginia Beach and the region,” said Douglas L. Smith, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance. “I am thrilled for Brad Sorgen and his team on this milestone and look forward to telling our international prospects the success story that is Hermes Abrasives.”

Original source can be found here.