Austrian manufacturer to invest $85 million in Roanoke, creating 435 jobs
RINGANA will set up shop at the Blue Ridge Commerce Park, a site near Interstate 581 that formerly was home to a Johnson & Johnson facility. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.
An Austrian maker of skincare and nutritional products will invest $85 million over five years establishing a U.S. headquarters in Roanoke, creating 435 jobs, the governor’s office said.
RINGANA will set up shop at the Blue Ridge Commerce Park, according to a Friday news release from Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The site is near Interstate 581 and formerly was home to a Johnson & Johnson facility.
“With our world-class workforce, strong apprenticeship and career training programs, and unwavering commitment to supporting global companies in a global marketplace, Virginia offers the ideal environment for businesses to grow and succeed in the United States,” Spanberger said in the release.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Roanoke and the Roanoke Regional Partnership economic development organization to secure the project for Virginia, according to the release.
Spanberger approved a $5 million state grant to assist Roanoke. The company will receive job-creation support from state workforce programs.
RINGANA has more than 800 employees worldwide. It distributes products across Europe and Central and South America.
The Roanoke site will serve as the company’s North American production and distribution hub for its skincare products, nutritional supplements and beverages throughout the U.S. It will have manufacturing, warehousing, and research and development operations there, according to the release.
Spanberger welcomed company leadership in February to discuss the Roanoke facility and Virginia’s workforce, according to the release.
“The location in Roanoke is perfect for our plans; in addition to its excellent location, we also found an exceptionally suitable property,” RINGANA founder and CEO Andreas Wilfinger said in the release. “We were welcomed with open arms by the local community and the authorities working there, which gave us a very positive feeling about a long-term collaboration.”
The company has set up a website for job opportunities at its Roanoke location.
“Successes like RINGANA happen when a region is aligned, collaborative, and ready to compete on a global stage,” Roanoke Regional Partnership President and CEO John Hull said in the release.
