Catawba County campus will employ more than 1,000 people and more than double Prysmian’s U.S. fiber optic production capacity
CLAREMONT, N.C. (August 13, 2026) – Prysmian, a global cable manufacturing company, will invest more than $1 billion to expand its fiber optic manufacturing facility in Catawba County, creating 385 jobs and increasing employment at the campus to more than 1,000.
The project will more than double Prysmian’s fiber optic production capacity in the United States while expanding the company’s glass preform, optical fiber and cable manufacturing operations.
“This billion-dollar investment is more proof that North Carolina is leading the way on innovation and job creation,” said Gov. Josh Stein. “Companies understand the value of our highly skilled manufacturing workforce that helps to power their strategic growth.”
Prysmian Expands U.S. Fiber Optic Manufacturing Capacity
Prysmian currently employs approximately 680 people at its 1.2 million-square-foot manufacturing operation in Claremont.
The vertically integrated facility manufactures the specialized glass used inside fiber optic cables as well as the finished cables. The expansion will increase capacity across the manufacturing process, including:
- Glass preform production
- Optical fiber manufacturing
- Fiber optic cable production
- Advanced manufacturing processes
- Supporting production operations
Construction is expected to take approximately 20 to 24 months.
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to supporting the growth of the U.S. demand for advanced digital solutions,” said Andrea Pirondini, CEO of Prysmian North America. “We are one of just three U.S. manufacturers of fiber and optical cables, and now we are committing more than a billion dollars to new innovative solutions and transformational capacity growth.”
Project Represents Historic Catawba County Investment
At more than $1 billion, the Prysmian project is the largest capital investment announced in Catawba County during the 11 years that the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina has tracked project data.
The expansion will also strengthen North Carolina’s position in the fiber optic manufacturing industry. Catawba County, located approximately one hour northwest of Charlotte, is home to about one-third of the state’s fiber optic cable manufacturing facilities.
“Prysmian’s continued investment in Catawba County is a strong testament to the company’s confidence in North Carolina’s workforce and business environment,” said Melissa Smith, senior vice president of Business Recruitment and Development for the EDPNC.
“Fiber optic technology is critical to the economy of tomorrow, and we’re proud to support an expansion that will strengthen advanced manufacturing in Claremont and across North Carolina,” Smith said.
Fiber Optic Demand Drives Manufacturing Growth
Demand for fiber optic cable continues to increase as data centers, telecommunications providers and other industries invest in infrastructure supporting high-speed connectivity and growing data requirements.
Employment in North Carolina’s fiber optic cable manufacturing sector has increased 84% since 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Prysmian’s expanded production capacity will help support growing demand from markets including:
- Data centers
- Telecommunications networks
- Broadband infrastructure
- Digital services
- Industrial connectivity
- Advanced technology applications
Global Cable Manufacturer Grows in North Carolina
Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Prysmian operates in more than 50 countries and specializes in cable systems and connectivity solutions. Its North American headquarters is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, near Cincinnati.
The company serves customers across energy, telecommunications, infrastructure and industrial markets.
The expansion project was supported by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
Additional partners include:
- North Carolina General Assembly
- North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions
- North Carolina Community College System
- Catawba Valley Community College
- Duke Energy
- Piedmont Natural Gas
- Catawba County
- City of Claremont
- Catawba County Economic Development Corporation
About the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina is a private nonprofit corporation serving as North Carolina’s statewide economic development organization.
Governed by an 18-member board of business and industry leaders, the EDPNC focuses on business recruitment, existing-industry support, international trade, tourism and film marketing.
The organization operates under contract with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and works with public- and private-sector partners at the state, regional and local levels. Learn more at EDPNC.com.
