Hitachi Energy has announced plans to expand and modernize its dry-type transformer manufacturing operations in Atkins and Bland, Virginia. The company, which designs and manufactures oil-free, medium-voltage dry-type transformers, is investing $22.5 million into the project, creating 120 new skilled jobs across the two locations. 

The investment includes approximately $10 million for the purchase and development of a 75,000-square-foot facility in Atkins, which is expected to be fully operational by August 2025. This site, located 40 miles from Bland with direct access to major highways, will serve to strengthen regional manufacturing capabilities and improve distribution. The new facility will support component assembly that feeds into final transformer production in Bland, creating about 40 jobs in Smyth County. 

An additional $12.5 million will support upgrades at the existing facility in Bland, which is North America’s leading producer of dry-type transformers. These upgrades will expand production capacity and introduce advanced assembly capabilities to meet growing demand and support the company’s long-term strategic goals. The project is being conducted in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. 

Hitachi Energy currently employs approximately 450 people in Bland and is expanding its presence in the region to serve critical sectors such as renewable energy, data centers, and e-mobility. The company is also investing in STEM programs and workforce development efforts to support local communities. 

What people are saying 

In a recent quote, Steve McKinney, senior vice president and head of transformers, North America, Hitachi Energy, said, “The new facility in Atkins, alongside the upgrades at our existing site in Bland, represents a major milestone in our commitment to building resilient energy infrastructure in the U.S.. Virginia has been an essential part of our manufacturing story for over 50 years, and this expansion reflects our confidence in the region’s skilled workforce and strong support for innovation. By increasing production capacity and modernizing operations across both sites, we empower our customers with sustainable, locally manufactured solutions that drive progress and support long-term community growth.” 

Glenn Youngkin, governor, Commonwealth of Virginia, added, “Hitachi Energy’s investment in the new Atkins facility and the transformative modernization of the Bland plant is a powerful endorsement of Virginia’s manufacturing capabilities. This world-class company’s investment in Southwest Virginia is not only expanding domestic transformer production, but also creating high-quality, skilled jobs and driving innovation in energy infrastructure. Hitachi Energy is a trusted, long-term partner with Virginia, and together we are growing a hub of energy innovation and infrastructure advancement.” 

Manufacturers investing in Virginia 

RBW EV Cars invests $8M to build electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Virginia 
The new facility will house the company’s assembly, engineering, and EV systems development teams in Danville. 

LS GreenLink invests $681M to build submarine power cable manufacturing facility in Virginia 
The new facility will produce high-voltage direct current submarine power cables to support offshore wind farm connections and power transmission networks. 

Micron Technology invests $2.17B to modernize semiconductor manufacturing plant in Virginia
Micron will be eligible to receive a special appropriation of up to $70 million based on an investment of more than $2.1 billion and the creation of 340 jobs.

Investing in American manufacturing in 2025 

This map shows where manufacturers are choosing to invest their resources, whether they are building new production facilities or expanding existing plants.