Empire State Development (ESD) today marked the official opening of Pfisterer’s new infrastructure manufacturing facility located on Innovation Way in Rochester. The new, 100,000-square-foot facility will boost the company’s production capabilities and features a new state-of-the-art training center for its customers, production, sales, and a cable assembly and testing field. The plant has already been used to assemble so-called dropper cables for a wind farm off the coast of New York City. The company has committed to creating up to 50 new jobs in the Finger Lakes Region.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Empire State Development is committed to next-generation innovation in advanced manufacturing throughout New York State and to projects that promote renewable energy. Pfisterer’s expansion will create new, top-quality jobs and help us to ensure that we meet Governor Hochul’s green energy agenda goals, while supporting sustainable economic growth.”
ESD is assisting the project with up to $700,000 through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) offshore wind lease areas, Empire Wind, will continue to use components from this factory to grow clean manufacturing efforts and support Governor Kathy Hochul’s green energy agenda. Greater Rochester Enterprise also supported the Rochester expansion.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “NYSERDA congratulates Pfisterer and applauds them for their commitment to building components right here in New York, creating good-paying jobs in our communities, and helping to advance renewable energy in our state. It is investments like these that are the backbone of New York’s efforts to build a more sustainable state in which to live and work.”
Founded in 1921, Pfisterer is headquartered in Winterbach near Stuttgart, Germany. The company develops, produces and distributes solutions for insulating and connecting electrical conductors for the interfaces in power grids, from the generation and transmission to the distribution of electrical energy, on land, at sea and in the air. The company has over 1,200 employees at 17 locations worldwide.
“We are thrilled to be opening this new facility in Rochester, as it will bring us much closer to our customers, which in turn will enhance our ability to meet their increasing demand” said Marcus Horn, President of Pfisterer North America Inc. “This facility represents a major strategic investment in the US market and in our future, underscoring our commitment to innovation, sustainability and delivering unparalleled value to our customers”.
New York State’s Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State’s climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is advancing a suite of efforts – including the New York Cap-and-Invest program (NYCI) and other complementary policies – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. New York is also on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York’s unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $28 billion in 61 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the State, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with more than 400 registered and more than 130 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the State to help target air pollution and combat climate change.
State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “Today’s grand opening is more proof that companies are choosing Upstate communities like Monroe County to build and grow their businesses. This is a win-win for job growth and a cleaner environment, and I thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to economic development across our region.”
State Assemblymember Demond Meeks said, “Pfisterer’s new facility in Rochester is a victory on many fronts. It will provide 50 high-quality jobs to our residents in the Finger Lakes region while staying true to our commitment towards New York’s green energy goals. This investment enhances our energy infrastructure and creates stable, regional economic growth, keeping our future prosperous.”
City of Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans said, “I want to congratulate Pfisterer on their expansion and thank them for making this investment in our community that will strengthen our entire region’s manufacturing sector and create good-paying jobs for our residents. Thank you as well to Governor Kathy Hochul and Empire State Development for their support of Rochester’s economy through Finger Lakes Forward. Together we are creating a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone. “
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair CEO Bob Duffy said, “Congratulations to Marcus Horn and the Pfisterer team on this exciting new facility and milestone for your company. We are proud to have a global leader in manufacturing expand in Greater Rochester, NY. Pfisterer’s commitment to providing training and advancement opportunities for individuals seeking meaningful careers is commendable, and we are grateful for their leadership in this space. Thank you to the Pfisterer team for their investment in our region, and to all partners who helped make this possible.”
Greater Rochester Enterprise President & CEO Matt Hurlbutt said, “Pfisterer leaders cited the fast-track workforce development programs as an important factor in their decision to expand in the Greater Rochester, NY region. In addition to resources to fuel the company’s future talent pipeline needs, Rochester has the engineering and CNC machining expertise and low cost of doing business to support Pfisterer’s growth plans. GRE helped connect the company to numerous resources, including facility options, training resources, and economic development incentives. We look forward to continuing to support Pfisterer leaders as they implement this expansion in Rochester, NY.”