Hermes Abrasives HVA Expands and Adds 12 Jobs in Virginia Beach Grant Awarded for $3.75 Million Capital Investment
September 19, 2017
The Virginia Beach Development Authority has awarded Hermes Abrasives an Economic Development Investment Program grant in the amount of $125,000 for its $3.75 million dollar expansion of real estate, business property, and machinery and tools. Hermes, founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1927, is a leading manufacturer of industrial coated and bonded abrasives used in the automotive, aerospace, metalworking, and woodworking industries. The Department of Economic Development was responsible for the initial location of the company's North American headquarters to Virginia Beach in 1979 and has assisted the company with several expansions over the years."Hermes Abrasives is a global company that has flourished in Virginia Beach," said Virginia Beach Economic Development Director Warren D. Harris. "It has demonstrated continued excellence as an advanced manufacturer, and we are pleased to see continued growth in these highly desired jobs and production output." Ken Lamay, president of Hermes Abrasives said "the additional investments, particularly in the area of equipment, are state of the art and incorporate automation advancements, but that does not mean reductions in actual numbers of jobs. It means the skill level of the associates needs to be further enhanced."This most recent expansion by Hermes, at its U.S. headquarters located at 524 Viking Drive, includes additional equipment and employee growth at its 160,000-square-foot manufacturing plant located on the 14.75-acre site. The Virginia Beach manufacturing facility supports all of the company's North American activities including exports to Canada and Mexico. The company currently has 161 employees with 12 new full-time positions having been added since the first of the year. Dr. Jan Cord Becker, CEO of the Hermes Group and former interim president of the Virginia Beach operation, knows the history of the Economic Development Department's commitment to manufacturing in Virginia Beach and stated "Virginia Beach's support and ongoing cooperation with Hermes is appreciated and serves as reinforcement of the continued decisions to invest in HVA." The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to attract and retain national and international businesses to stimulate capital investment and create jobs. Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia with a population of 450,000, and it is the 37th largest in the United States. The Department of Economic Development received re-accreditation through the International Economic Development Council in 2016 and is one of only 50 economic development organizations in the world to have this recognition. Most recently, Virginia Beach was named America's #1 best big city to live in by wallethub.com. For more information, visit www.yesvirginiabeach.com.# # #
