By Natalie Anderson
natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Snow Joe + Sun Joe, a new manufacturer of eco-friendly lawn and garden tools, is planting a stake in Salisbury.

The company has invested approximately $1.5 million in equipment and upgrades to its 150,000-square-foot facility, located at 615 Industrial Ave., and it will employ more than 100 people with positions for distribution, manufacturing and customer service.

“We’re extremely pleased to add Snow Joe to our growing list of new companies locating in Rowan County,” said Rod Crider, the Rowan Economic Development Commission president. “We are thankful that they chose our area for their new jobs and investment and we look forward to supporting the company in their new Salisbury location. Their ‘every day Joe’ philosophy, eco-friendly products and commitment to growing their team members make them a welcome addition to our community.”

Crider added that the company’s culture attracted EDC as he believes the company will fit in well with Rowan’s culture, too.

Based in New Jersey, Snow Joe + Sun Joe designs and develops affordable lawn and garden tools for the consumer market. It was founded in 2004 with a mission to provide homeowners with winter solutions. Products include battery-powered snow blowers, snow throwers, lighted snow brooms, roof rakes, electric mowers, leaf blowers, pressure washers, tillers and hedgers.

The location is officially open, but the company is waiting to fully staff the facility before holding a grand opening celebration. And since it will be a new facility, Snow Joe Human Resources Manager Thom Cyburt said the company is currently looking to fill warehouse positions that include production line workers, forklift operators, maintenance managers and site directors.

Cyburt said a job fair will be held in early April, but final details are still being determined. Starting pay ranges between $12 to $13 an hour, and job listings for the Salisbury location can be found at snowjoe.com/careers.

He added the company is “casting a really wide net” with its hiring efforts and aiming to hire locally as it has with its New Jersey locations.

Salisbury marks the first location of Snow Joe outside of New Jersey due to the strategic location of the city’s proximity to Interstate 85. Additionally, the new store will be centrally located on the East coast, which makes distribution of the products more accessible, Cyburt said.

“We are equally as excited that Snow Joe, a leader in the lawn and garden consumer market, has chosen Salisbury as one of its primary distribution centers,” said Salisbury Mayor Karen Alexander. “Snow Joe will create new jobs and opportunities for our community, while simultaneously providing the company with the logistical advantages that Salisbury and Rowan County has to offer.”

Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-797-4246.