Rail manufacturer to bring 1,000 jobs to Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — More than 1,000 new jobs appear headed to New Hanover County.

County Commission Chair Woody White, who is also on the Board of Directors for Wilmington Business Development, says he’s heard the new company will be Vertex Rail Manufacturing. It is expected to bring about 1,300 jobs in all.

According to a story on the website RailwayAge.com posted in February, Vertex Rail Manufacturing was formed by the merger of two other companies with plans to make tank cars, boxcars and covered hoppers at facilities in Massachusetts and Wilmington.

The manufacturer is expected to move into the old Terex plant on Raleigh Street near the port. Terex closed its doors in 2011.

The news seems to match a recent posting on the North Carolina Employment Security Commission website. The posting for a “confidential employer” in Wilmington says at least 1,100 people will be hired for jobs including forming of metals, welders, fitters, assemblers, blasters, painters, movers and quality inspectors. Pay for those jobs ranges from $13 to $27 per hour.

An official announcement is expected Thursday morning.

A call to Vertex was referred to Wilmington Business Development, which was closed for the Veterans Day holiday.