Schletter, a company focused on solar photovoltaic mounting systems, recently celebrated the company’s new North American headquarters in Shelby, North Carolina with a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The North Carolina facility is currently operational and production of solar mounting systems and custom sheet metal fabrication began this past summer.

Located in Cleveland County, the Shelby, North Carolina facility is the company’s third North American manufacturing facility since starting business in the United States in 2007. The company’s original facility in Tucson, Arizona will continue to supply products to customers in the western United States while the company’s second facility in Ontario, Canada will continue to serve the Canadian market. In addition to the three manufacturing facilities, the company maintains offices in Connecticut and plans to open a new office in Texas in 2014.

“The addition of the Shelby, North Carolina manufacturing facility gives Schletter the largest manufacturing capacity for solar mounting systems in North America – a benefit we have already begun passing on to our customers. Our manufacturing capacity, combined with a high level of automation, is enabling us to drive down costs for our customers and decrease shipping costs, for the east coast in particular,” said Schletter CEO and President Martin Hausner.

Hausner continued, “Schletter has almost every process in-sourced, enabling us to offer competitive pricing without sacrificing quality. Our focus is our customer and we are committed to our customers’ success – through the protection of their investments in the way of product longevity and sound structural calculations, and streamlining design and ordering with services like the new online tool PV Powerhouse.”

Expansion of the original structure is complete with 140,000 square feet of highly-automated manufacturing space and administrative offices. In Shelby, the company currently employs a staff of 100 and plans to hire 70 more before the end of the year. Schletter employs over 200 individuals In the United States, while globally the company employs more than 1,600.

Nicholas Wiebelhaus, Schletter East Coast General Manager added, “The event was a tremendous success with over 150 participants and an excellent lineup of speakers. We extend our gratitude to all those who helped us celebrate this milestone, including our speakers Shelby Mayor Stanhope Anthony, Representative Tim Moore, and NCCEBA Executive Director Kristen Thornburg.”