Va. Beach manufacturing company investing $15.8M in expansion

Acoustical Sheetmetal Co. will add 200 jobs

Published July 15, 2020 by Sydney Lake

Virginia Beach-based Acoustical Sheetmetal Co. (ASC) will invest $15.8 million to expand its operations, adding a 100,000- square-foot facility and creating 200 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. 

ASC manufactures sound-reducing and weather-protective enclosures for onsite power generation equipment, such as control rooms, house generators, pumps, compressors, switchgear and HVAC equipment. 

“Advanced manufacturing continues to soar in the commonwealth, thanks to industry leaders like Acoustical Sheetmetal Company,” Northam said in a statement. “ASC’s new investment in Virginia Beach and the creation of 200 high-quality jobs come at a critical time and will generate a positive ripple effect across the Hampton Roads region, further aiding our economic recovery. We look forward to building on our strong partnership with ASC in its next phase of growth.”

The company, which currently employs more than 145 people, operates three facilities in Virginia Beach, including 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space, an 11,000-square-foot clean storage facility and 2,000 square feet of administrative space. ASC also has an acre of staging space. 

Virginia competed with North Carolina and South Carolina for the project. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with the city of Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads Alliance to secure the project for Virginia.

“ASC chose Virginia for its highly skilled and plentiful workforce, in addition to its proximity to key customer job sites,” said Margaret Shaia, CEO of Acoustical Sheetmetal Company.

Northam also approved a $750,000 Commonwealth Opportunity Fund grant to help Virginia Beach with the project. ASC is eligible for a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit (administered through VEDP) for full-time jobs created. The Virginia Jobs Investment Program will provide training services. 

“Acoustical Sheetmetal Company continues to expand its footprint in Virginia Beach, demonstrating the success manufacturers can experience due to the commonwealth’s pro-business climate and quality workforce,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball said in a statement. “ASC’s major investment … will greatly benefit the local and regional economies. We thank the company for its important contribution during these challenging times.”

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