By Jessica Coates and Josh Bergeron

news@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Schneider Electric plans to close its Salisbury facility and transfer production to other locations by mid-2018.

The manufacturing company, which has a facility at 105 Summit Park Drive, will transfer production to facilities in Pennsylvania and Columbia, South Carolina, according to a news release Wednesday. The move will begin in the fourth quarter of this year.

Schneider Electric employs about 63 people at the Salisbury facility.

In its news release, Schneider Electric said the company will provide qualifying employees affected by the decision with assistance, including severance pay, benefits and help finding new jobs.

Elected officials and RowanWORKS Economic Development said they were not aware of Schneider Electric’s plans when contacted by the Salisbury Post on Wednesday. However, RowanWORKS President Rod Crider said this isn’t necessarily the end.

“We will make an effort to reach out to them, to see if there’s anything we can do to change their minds,” Crider said. “And if we’re unsuccessful, we’ll obviously do everything we can with that building owner to help get new business in there.”

Rowan County commissioners Chairman Greg Edds said the building is modern and will be attractive for businesses looking to move to the area.

“It’s one turn off the interstate and right off the corner,” Edds said. “I’d just say that change brings opportunity. We’ve always got to look at change as opportunity.”

Edds said county officials will work to fill the building with an advanced manufacturing company that brings even better jobs for local residents.

Edds said he was told the products being manufactured by Schneider Electric in Salisbury have experienced a “soft market” recently. Schneider Electric has been leasing the building, and the lease ends in 2018, Edds said.

The listed owner of the building is TKC XCI, LLC, which names Kenneth Beuley as its registered agent, according to the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office. Beuley is the chief financial officer and director of development at the Charlotte-based Keith Corp.

Contact reporter Jessica Coates at 704-797-4222.