South Raleigh News

LMFakro, a manufacturer of attic ladders, will create 23 new jobs to establish its first U.S. assembly plant for attic ladders in Pasquotank County, Governor Cooper announced today.

“North Carolina’s robust transportation infrastructure, strong workforce of manufacturing professionals, and nationally recognized business-friendly environment makes it the perfect place for distribution companies like LMFakro to call home. This is great news for Pasquotank County and all of northeastern North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper.

Started in 2023, LMFakro is a subsidiary of the FAKRO Group, an international corporation and leading manufacturer of roof windows and attic ladders. Originally founded in Poland in 1991, FAKRO has since expanded worldwide, employing over 4,000 people throughout 16 distribution and 11 manufacturing companies across the globe. Building on Over 30 years of experience, FAKRO offers a plethora of construction products new to the American market.

“We are very happy to be able to grow the distribution and manufacturing of our attic ladders in the USA and build FAKRO's share in the American market. Logistically, our investment in Elizabeth City is a great location because it is in the central part of the East Coast and close to a seaport, as well,” said Waldemar Szalus, CEO and President of FAKRO AMERICA LLC. “I am grateful for the commitment of the local and State officials in North Carolina. We hope our work will have a positive impact on the local community and homes by improving the standard of thermal insulation and functionality of attic ladders.”

The new positions will include production supervisors, packaging operators, production and warehouse staff, and administrative personnel. While wages will vary by position, the average annual wage is estimated to be $47,391, exceeding the Pasquotank County average of $44,457. These new jobs could potentially create an annual payroll impact of more than $1 million for the region.

“Our state is home to the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “North Carolina’s impeccable network of universities and community colleges, along with our unique training programs, continue to fuel the state’s talent pipeline and attract manufacturing companies from near and far.”

A performance-based grant of $60,000 from the One North Carolina Fund, dependent on a capital investment from the company of $9.3 million, will help LMFakro locate to North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

“LMFakro’s business venture in Elizabeth City is a huge win for us,” said N.C. Representative Bill Ward. “I am thrilled to see such a fast-growing company select our region and uplift our community.”

In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in this project include North Carolina Community College System, the College of Albemarle, Pasquotank County, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Economic Development Commission, Polish Investment and Trade Agency, and Elizabeth City.