Altec to expand North Carolina facility, add 100 jobs

Lift and crane truck body specialist Altec has revealed an expansion project for its Mount Airy, North Carolina production facility. This initiative will make a significant investment to strengthen its existing operations, resulting in the creation of 100 new jobs.

Dubbed Project Poplar, the expansion represents the next phase of Altec’s growth in Mount Airy. The project will begin with construction of a new maintenance facility, allowing maintenance staff to relocate from an existing wing of the current building to a new structure adjacent to Altec Way. Once vacated, that portion of the facility will be retooled into additional assembly space, increasing production output and enabling the hiring of more than 100 new associates.

Project Poplar will be supported in part by a $500,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Rural Infrastructure Authority, utilizing Building Reuse funds to support job creation and economic growth in rural communities. In addition, the Surry County Board of Commissioners approved a local cash grant valued at approximately $329,000 part of the competitive effort to secure the project.

“As Altec celebrates our 10‑year anniversary in Mount Airy, this expansion is especially meaningful for our entire team. Over the past decade, we’ve become deeply connected to this community, and we’re grateful for the continued support we’ve received along the way,” said Ben Griffin, general manager for Altec Mount Airy. “The investment made through this grant, along with the partnership of the State of North Carolina, our Surry County Commissioners and the Surry County Economic Development Partnership, has played an essential role in making this project possible. We look forward to growing our workforce, strengthening our operations and continuing our commitment to being a proud part of the Mount Airy community for many years to come.”

In addition to the new maintenance facility, an addition will be completed in an existing portion of the plant to further expand production capacity. The project will also include utility improvements and facility upgrades to support long-term operational efficiency and growth.

Local leaders emphasized the significance of the project not only for job creation, but also for reinforcing Mount Airy’s role as a competitive manufacturing hub.

“The Surry County Board of Commissioners is excited to see another existing industry announce a significant investment and the creation of new employment opportunities,” said Chairman Bill Goins. “The Board is pleased to support Altec in this endeavor and looks forward to them continuing to invest in our community and our people.”

Altec Industries has operated in Mount Airy since its purchase of the facility from Pike Electric in March 2016. Since that time, the company has steadily grown both production capacity and staffing levels, establishing the Mount Airy facility as a key assembly plant within Altec’s national manufacturing network.

The Mount Airy operation specializes in assembling aerial devices and other equipment for the utility industry, equipment most commonly known as “cherry pickers.” The facility is one of three Altec manufacturing locations in North Carolina, along with plants in Burnsville and Creedmoor.

Construction and implementation timelines for Project Poplar are expected to begin soon with hiring anticipated to occur in Q4 of 2026.