Manufacturer’s expansion to create 174 jobs

Published February 19, 2013 by Robert Powell, III

Liebherr Mining Equipment Newport News, a manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, will create 174 new jobs in a $45.4 million expansion of its operations in Newport News and Hampton.

The company is an operating division of Liebherr-Mining Equipment SAS, a member company of the Switzerland-based Liebherr Group.

The Virginia location, established in 1970, serves as the North American headquarters for four operating companies.

The Liebherr business was established in 1949 by Hans Liebherr. The company has now grown into a group with more than 35,000 employees in more than 130 companies across all continents.

Gov. Bob McDonnell approved a $500,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Newport News with the project.

McDonnell also approved an $800,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment and training activities.