A Canadian company that manufactures therapy tables and equipment used in healthcare settings will invest $4 million and add 20 jobs in Kinston as it establishes its U.S. headquarters in Lenoir County.
Cardon Rehabilitation and Medical Equipment USA says it has experienced growth and the move to Kinston will support its U.S. customer base.
Cardon, headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, will move into a 62,485-square-foot building at 4114 Berkeley Ave. The building has been vacant for several years, but was previously used for light manufacturing and distribution. Cardon will start with assembly and distribution operations and plans to expand into full-scale manufacturing operations in Kinston within the next few years, says Trey Cash, director of Economic Development for Lenoir and Greene Counties.
Burlington is about 65 miles north of Buffalo, New York, near Niagara Falls.
“It is always good to see an existing building come back to life and put people back to work,” says Cash. “This is a great win for Lenoir County. It means new jobs, new investment, and another manufacturer choosing to believe in our community and our workforce.
“It adds momentum to what we are already building here, a strong and diverse manufacturing economy in eastern North Carolina.”
This year marks Cardon’s 50th year of manufacturing healthcare equipment, says Mardig Sevadijian, CEO of Cardon Rehabilitation & Medical Equipment USA. Locating in Kinston also marks a milestone for the company, says Sevadijian.
“Our vision is to scale up the production of our healthcare equipment, build a long-term home for our employees, and create a workplace culture where people feel safe, valued, and empowered to contribute to the continued success of our company. We are honored to become part of the Kinston community, and we look forward to growing together — toward a future defined by innovation, opportunity, and shared success,” says Sevadijian.
The average annual wage for the new positions will be $48,965, in line with the average wage in Lenoir County of $48,683. A performance-based grant of $60,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help the company expand to North Carolina. Lenoir County and the city of Kinston will add incentives totaling $65,240. The company will only receive payment if it meets investment and job creation targets.