Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) announced today that TekTone® Sound & Signal Mfg., Inc. will create 35 jobs over the next five years as it expands operations in Macon County. The company plans to invest $2.9 million in its facility over that time.
“TekTone® Sound & Signal is a key global player in the nurse call system market, doing business on five continents,” said Governor McCrory. “This company’s exciting growth in Macon County provides more evidence that modern manufacturers can thrive in every corner of our state.”
Founded in 1973, TekTone® Sound & Signal Mfg., Inc. opened its manufacturing facility in Franklin, N.C. in 1989. TekTone® designs & manufactures wired & wireless nurse call, apartment entry, area of rescue assistance, alert integration and resident wandering systems. TekTone® healthcare communications systems are found in hospitals, retirement communities, skilled nursing, and assisted/independent living facilities around the globe. TekTone® world headquarters is in Franklin and the company’s network of first-rate distributors and representatives stretches worldwide. The privately held company employs an existing workforce of 70 locally.
“Nothing compares to the manufacturing talent, access to global markets and competitive costs that companies like TekTone® Sound & Signal find in North Carolina,” said Secretary Skvarla. “These are among the factors that have made us the Southeast’s #1 state for manufacturing jobs.”
TekTone® Sound & Signal Mfg., Inc. will add engineers, technicians, and sales representatives among other positions at its new research, development and manufacturing facility. Salaries will vary by position, but will average more than $48,118 per year. Macon County’s current annual wages average $30,794.
The global market for nurse call systems is expected to reach $1.8 billion by 2022, according to a 2016 report by Grand View Research, Inc. Trends in healthcare technology, regulation and reimbursement are driving international demand for communications systems.
“The purchase of the former SKF facility is a significant investment for us. When it became clear we were outgrowing our current facility, we made it a priority to stay in Macon County, if at all possible. We thank our employees, customers, and partners for making this a reality, and look forward to expansion and growth in the Macon County Industrial Park,” commented Carlos Mira, President of TekTone®.
The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant of up to $90,000 from the One North Carolina Fund. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. One NC grants also require and are contingent on financial matches from local governments.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Macon County and its economy,” said N.C. Senator Jim Davis. “This company has been a mainstay in our business community and we are pleased to be a part of its latest stage of growth.”
“This expansion by TekTone Sound & Signal says good things about Macon County as a destination for high-quality jobs and investment,” said N.C. Representative Roger West. “I look forward to supporting this company’s continued growth and success.”
Among the allies working with EDPNC and N.C. Commerce on TekTone® Sound & Signal’s expansion are the North Carolina General Assembly, the Macon County Board of Commissioners and the Macon County Economic Development Commission.