Made in Winston-Salem: Learn About Some of the Region’s Major Brands
With its legacy as a textile and tobacco region, Greater Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has always been a place where things are made.
In recent years, the area has grown into a home for legacy brands as well as new and growing sectors across life sciences, aerospace, food and beverage, and beyond. With even more growth on the horizon, the Greater Winston-Salem region is poised to continue its heritage of sturdiness and strength in manufacturing and innovation.
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Prime Location
Greater Winston-Salem lives at a confluence of resources. From a workforce with a history of knowledge in manufacturing to some of the top universities in the country, the region is a prime destination for big-name brands. Outside of tobacco brands, Greater Winston-Salem has attracted a range of well-known brands like John Deere; Garner Foods, which manufactures Texas Pete products; and SPEVCO Inc., a vehicle manufacturer that produces the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
“We’re really uniquely positioned to be a hub for manufacturing because we have that manufacturing talent from years past,” says Ellis Keifer, vice president of economic development for Greater Winston- Salem Inc.
With direct access to four major interstates, Greater Winston-Salem is within 650 miles of over half the U.S. population, making it an ideal location for manufacturers. Manufacturing makes up 12% of the workforce in Forsyth County, and those numbers are growing. The area has added over 2,400 new jobs and $740 million worth of capital investment since 2020.
“Winston-Salem is an accessible community, not just for the company, but for that new employee,” Keifer says. “It’s really a community where it’s easy to feel plugged in, get involved, feel engaged and feel connected, even as a newcomer.”
Grown Here
Opportunities for growth in new and existing brands are abundant across Greater Winston-Salem. John Deere, which has had a presence in Forsyth County for over 35 years, recently announced an expansion of its Kernersville manufacturing facility. The new 380,000-square-foot facility will manufacture small hydraulic excavators and is expected to initially create 150 jobs.
“John Deere’s presence in Forsyth County contributes meaningfully to the local economy through stable, long-term manufacturing operations and ongoing investment in the region,” says Steven Brewer, general manager of John Deere’s Kernersville operations.
John Deere also aims to create positive contributions to the community outside of its economic impact. The Kernersville team regularly volunteers with organizations like United Way of Forsyth County, Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross and more.
“Beyond our role as an employer, we’re deeply committed to community engagement, as well,” Brewer says.
Local Talent
Along with its centralized location, Greater Winston-Salem’s workforce has been a boon for companies seeking to make a home in the area. Piedmont Propulsion Systems has its roots in Piedmont Airlines, which has called the region home for over 80 years. Now a subsidiary of First Aviation Services, Piedmont Propulsion Systems services propellers for aircraft from around the world and manufactures washers for fighter jets like the F-35 and F-22.
With six universities in Forsyth County alone and 18 regionally, the talent in the area is strong. Yet Piedmont Propulsion Systems provides training for all its employees and partners with Forsyth Tech Community College to offer additional training and leadership courses.
“We’ve got great catchments of people,” says Paul Bolton, president of First Aviation Services and general manager of Piedmont Propulsion Systems. “We’ve been able to build a very strong workforce here.”
Greater Winston-Salem is a great area in terms of workforce and resources as well as a wonderful home for employees. With an average commute time of 22 minutes, a low cost of living and a vibrant downtown scene, the area is sure to be attractive to companies and employees alike.
“We very much enjoy being in Winston-Salem,” Bolton says. “It’s definitely one of our preferred facilities. We want to continue to invest in the local community as much as possible.”
By the Numbers
Advanced manufacturing stats for the area
- $75,999 – Average salary in Winston-Salem
- 16,000+ – Employed in this sector in Forsyth County
- 350+ – Local manufacturing companies
- 205,765 – Total local labor force in this sector
Source: Greater Winston-Salem Inc.
Get to Know Greater Winston-Salem
To learn more about the region and all it has to offer, visit livability.com/nc/winston-salem.