Dell Inc. (Round Rock, Tex.) recently opened its third, and largest, U.S. manufacturing plant in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The new, 750,000 sq.-ft. plant, which reflects a Dell investment of more than $100 million, will build Dell's OptiPlex and Dimension desktop systems for customers in the eastern U.S. Demand for its products has made Dell the leading provider of desktop computers in the U.S. and the world.
"Dell's growth, and the need for our new North Carolina plant, is the result of the direct way we do business and the efficiency, productivity and customer focus of our employees," Dell said. "Our manufacturing operations give us a competitive advantage and we're confident this new plant will add to that."
A global company, Dell is expanding its operations in the U.S. and around the world to be closer to its customers and continue to deliver the industry's best value and customer experience.
The Dell plant will employ about 700 people in its first year of operation and grow to 1,500 employees within five years. Dell also recently opened new customer contact and distribution facilities in Oklahoma and Ohio, and has increased employment at its Central Texas and Middle Tennessee operations over the past year. Overall, Dell employment in the U.S. has grown more than 20 percent since 2002.
Dell announced plans to expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity with a facility in North Carolina in November 2004. In just eight months the company transformed a North Carolina field into a world-class manufacturing facility staffed with a well-trained team that built and shipped its initial systems on schedule in September.
Computers from the initial production run were donated to SciWorks, Winston-Salem's science and technology museum, as well as the State of North Carolina and regional and local governments.
"The opening of this facility means hundreds of hardworking North Carolinians now have good jobs that bring better benefits and better skills to the transitioning Piedmont Triad economy," said Gov. Easley. "In addition, the Dell project will provide more than $700 million in net revenue over 20 years to our state. This project makes good economic sense for North Carolina and we are proud to have such a well-respected global company in our state."
Manufacturing Excellence
Dell's North Carolina plant incorporates several features that enhance the company's quality, speed and effectiveness. At maximum capacity, the North Carolina operation will produce tens of thousands of systems a day. By the end of this year, the facility will be capable of producing a computer every five seconds.
The North Carolina facility includes a production layout that allows computers to be tested as its components and software are installed. This "instantaneous build and test" operation allows team members to identify and correct any problems on the spot, rather than waiting until a product is completed.
Dell's decision to establish its new facility in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region has resulted in at least seven new logistics, packaging and automation firms also locating in the area, according to the Piedmont Triad Partnership. These related businesses are creating several hundred new jobs, in addition to the jobs at Dell, according to the regional economic development partnership.
"Winston-Salem and the area is already realizing direct and indirect positive impacts of Dell's decision and they will be felt throughout our community for years to come," said Allen Joines, mayor of Winston-Salem. "North Carolinians are excited to be building Dell's latest products."
"The new Dell team in North Carolina is demonstrating qualities that we call The Soul of Dell: teamwork, a desire to win and participation in the community," said Ro Parra, senior vice president, Dell Americas. "I see North Carolina and the Piedmont Triad as more than outstanding partners; they are already part of the Dell team."
Source: Dell Inc.
