OXFORD — Ideal Fastener, the second-largest zipper manufacturer in the world, will invest more than $5.7 million and create 155 jobs at its plant here. Founded in New York in 1936, it moved its manufacturing headquarters here in 1966. Ideal employs more than 3,500 worldwide, including 226 locally. The new jobs will pay an average annual wage of about $35,000, lower than Granville County’s $37,511. The company could receive more than $1.3 million in state grants if it meets job-creation goals.
DUNN — New Century Bancorp, holding company of New Century Bank, acquired the Greenville-based parent of Select Bank & Trust for $29.2 million. The combined bank, called Select Bank, will have $805 million of assets and 14 branches in central and eastern North Carolina.
DURHAM — bioMérieux will invest more than $48 million and add 44 jobs to the 630 at its U.S. headquarters here. The biotechnology company, based in Marcy l’Etoile, France, provides in vitro diagnostic services to prevent the spread of infectious diseases including hepatitis and HIV. Average pay for the jobs will be about $50,000, less than Durham County’s $56,842. The company will receive a grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $220,000 if it meets job targets.
RALEIGH — Merz North America will move its headquarters from High Point to a new 60,000-square-foot building here by June 2015. The subsidiary of Frankfurt-based Merz Pharma Group will hire 50 employees and relocate as many as 200 from High Point. The company develops and sells treatments for dermatological and neurological conditions.