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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Switzerland-Based Condair Group AG Plans Chesterfield County, Virginia, Operations

06/19/2024
Switzerland-Based Condair Group AG, an international evaporative technologies manufacturing company, plans to establish operations in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The $57.2 million project is expected to create 180 jobs.

The new 400,000-square-foot production facility is scheduled to begin operations in early 2025.

"We are committed to being a reliable partner for our customers while also fostering our company's growth. The establishment of the Richmond site will not only bolster our production capabilities but also facilitate closer engagement with our clients, particularly in the data center sector,” said Oliver Zimmermann, CEO of Condair Group. “Together with our existing sites in Racine, Wisconsin, and Ottawa, Canada, we are fortifying the Condair network to better serve our clientele across the continent."

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Chesterfield County and the Greater Richmond Partnership (GRP) to secure the project.

“We are proud to welcome Condair to Chesterfield County and are excited that the Commonwealth’s thriving manufacturing sector continues to attract companies like Condair with our strong business climate, location, and talent pipeline,” noted Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “This expansion project will provide more than 180 new jobs.”

To support the project Governor Youngkin approved a $700,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit for new, full-time jobs created, as well as benefits from The Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.

“As the Richmond region becomes a destination for data center activity, it only makes sense that a respected supplier such as Condair would seek a business-friendly location such as ours,” added Jennifer Wakefield, President and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership. “With its third North American facility, Condair can now access 45 % of the U.S. population within one day’s delivery drive.”

Additional support is being provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners, with funding support from the Governor’s administration and the Virginia General Assembly. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation. “When an international brand like Condair makes the decision to locate in Virginia the positive ripple-effects of economic investment, job creation and cargo growth are felt throughout the Commonwealth,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “The Port of Virginia will be among the beneficiaries of Condair’s location in Chesterfield County, which is not far from Richmond Marine Terminal. We are ready to collaborate with Condair to help it leverage the assets of this port — America’s most modern gateway — to ensure it has access to world markets.”

Condair Group AG manufactures commercial humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and other products related to evaporative cooling technology. The company has production sites in Europe, North America, and China. Condair’s major customers include Amazon Web Services and Microsoft, along with other data center and supercomputing operators.

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