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An Atlanta company that makes wire and cable products plans to expand its manufacturing operations in Tarboro, and add 116 jobs over the next 5 years.

Superior Essex will receive a state grant worth as much as $1.2 million if it meets its hiring and investment goals, Gov. Bev Perdue's office announced today. The company also is in line to receive about $2.5 million in incentives from Tarboro and Edgecombe County.

The new facility will be Superior Essex's second in Tarboro, about 70 miles east of Raleigh. The first opened in 1966.

The new jobs will pay average annual salaries of $41,289. That's more than the Edgecombe County average of $33,176.

Keihin Carolina System Technology will create 50 new jobs and invest more than $13 million to expand its facility in Tarboro, the company announced today.

KCST produces engine control units and electronically activated solenoids for automatic transmissions in Honda and Acura cars.

The engine control units are minicomputers that regulate operations such as emissions and ignition. The solenoids help control oil flow.

The company currently employs 370 people in Tarboro.

KCST's Japanese parent company, Keihin, employs 1,800 people in North America and 16,000 worldwide.

KCST was founded in 1997 and expanded the facility in 2003. The company announced this latest expansion during an event attended by Gov. Bev Perdue.

The company isn't receiving any state incentives as part of the expansion.

KCST employees are trained through partnerships with Edgecombe Community College and the East Carolina University School of Technology and Computer Science.

“KCST is excited about our growth throughout this year and the addition to our workforce," said Chris Eckhardt, a KCST Vice President, in a release.

"The exceptional capabilities and dedication of our associates allows us to continue to be successful through these challenging economic times.” 

Gov. Bev Perdue is scheduled to make an economic development announcement in Tarboro this afternoon.
 
The address for the event is a facility operated by Keihin Carolina System Technology, a manufacturer engine control systems.

Founded in 1997 in Tarboro, the company employs 385, according to its website.

Perdue's announcement is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

Sara Lee Bakery plans to expand its Tarboro plant and add 45 jobs.

The bakery, located about 75 miles east of Raleigh, already employs more than 800 and produces cheesecakes,  croissants and other baked goods.

The $11 million expansion will allow the company to increase production of biscuits and croissants under the Sara Lee and Jimmy Dean brands.