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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Watts Water Technologies Relocates Manufacturing Plant From China to Franklin, New Hampshire

03/28/2012
"Watts Water Technologies and its Webster Valve subsidiary will make a multi-million dollar investment in a 30,000-square-foot plant complex that will bring an estimated 100 manufacturing jobs from China to Franklin, New Hampshire.

`It makes me proud, as a New Hampshire resident and an American, that you have been able to bring your product lines back from China and bring jobs back from China. It's a wonderful accomplishment,' Franklin Mayor Kenneth Merrifield told Watts officials.

David Coghlan, Watts Water Technology CEO, said the firm is "happy to make this multi-million dollar investment that builds on the ambition and vision of our predecessors and represents our vision for the future of the company. What we are really pleased about is that we are bringing jobs and industry back to the US and back to New Hampshire. This investment will support our ability to make high quality products which meet the lead-free requirements that come into effect in January 2014." The company was founded in 1874 by Joseph Watts as Watts Regulator Company. During those early days, Watts manufactured pressure reducing valves to regulate steam and relief valves for water heaters and boilers. Since then Watts Water Technologies expanded to include values for water filtration, backflow prevention, radiant heat and instrumentation products that address the flow control needs of the plumbing, heating and water quality markets.

While details of any incentive package was not available, N.H. Department of Resources and Economic Development officials said they have been working with Watts officials for several years on this project.

While the company is headquartered in Massachusetts, its largest manufacturing facility with about 400 employees is located in Franklin, New Hampshire. Gov. John Lynch said "Watts could have chosen to expand anywhere, but it chose New Hampshire." It's a real testament to the work force in New Hampshire, their skills, talents and dedication, that the company chose Franklin, he added.

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