Made to Make Things

With 6x the growth over the national average in advanced manufacturing, we’re building products and devices that require advanced skills and technologies — both of which you’ll find in the Triangle.

Examples include medical devices, automotive and aerospace components, military or agricultural equipment, and advanced materials.

Advanced vehicle manufacturing equipment.

Advanced Manufacturing at a Glance

The Research Triangle region has 196 advanced manufacturing companies.
There are 12,570 people employed in advanced manufacturing.
Advanced manufacturing contributes 2.2 billion dollars to the Gross Regional Product.

Don't just take it from us...

Hear from Chad Henry, Corporate VP & General Manager of Novo Nordisk, on why the Research Triangle is ideal for manufacturing.

Advanced Manufacturing Leaders Located in the Triangle

Company Highlight

Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. 

The Fortune 100 company has multiple locations in the Research Triangle Region. Caterpillar manufactures wheel loaders and has a 100-acre R&D facility and a Customer and Training Center in Clayton (Johnston County), maintains an administrative office in Cary (Wake County) and manufactures skid steer loaders, compact track loaders and multi-terrain loaders in Sanford (Lee County).

“We are proud of the products we design, test and manufacture in the Research Triangle Region,” said Tony Fassino, Caterpillar Building Construction Products Division Vice President. “The area’s talented and dedicated workforce is an incredible asset to a company like Caterpillar.”

The company is a terrific example of a strong corporate citizen. Not only has Caterpillar made a significant economic impact during its 30 years in the region, but it also actively participates in the communities in which it operates, and it maintains close working relationships with nearby community colleges and universities. When you combine all of that with very attractive apprenticeship programs, it’s easy to understand why Caterpillar continues to have access to an exceptional workforce.

Team members posing for a photograph at Caterpillar's Sanford Facility.

The Sanford Facility is located in Central Carolina Enterprise Park

The Sanford facility has produced more than 275,000 machines since 1998.
Caterpillar employs more than 2,000 people in North Carolina.

Advanced Manufacturing News