Eaton to take over abandoned Flextronics plant in Youngsville

YOUNGSVILLE, N.C. — Eaton Corporation will open a new manufacturing facility in Youngsville, the company announced Thursday.

Eaton (NYSE: ETN) is taking over one of two 125,000 square foot buildings that once housed a Flextronics manufacturing facility.

Approximately 100 jobs will be created by Eaton at the facility. The positions will be filled by people transferring from other locations, said Brooke Yost, who works in human resources at Eaton.

“Right now we’re not in the position to say that there will be additions” to Eaton’s triangle-based workforce, Yost added. “That is a possibility in the future.”

Eaton operates three major facilities in North Raleigh plus some other satellite offices and employs approximately 850 people in the Triangle, Yost said. No facilities will be closed “at this time,” she added.

Eaton’s decision is good news for Youngsville and the surrounding area, said Ronnie Goswick, director of the Franklin County Economic Development Commission.

“This is going to be a tremendous shot in the arm for Franklin County,” Goswick said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the people who were laid off at Flextronics. Eaton and Flextronics are compatible industries.

“We are looking forward to working with Eaton,” he added. “They have a long and successful business.”

Flextronics shut down the Franklin County operation earlier this year, laying off some 480 people.

Eaton plans to manufacture electrical equipment, such as uninterruptable power supplies and surge protectors at the plant.

“New product lines” also will be added, Eaton said in a statement.

The firm, which reported sales of more than $13 billion in 2007, employs 79,000 people.

If and when new jobs are available, Yost said they would be posted at Eaton’s jobs web site.