October 9, 2025 - Becker Mining Systems, a Germany-based global supplier of energy, automation, and infrastructure technology for the mining sector, will establish a new manufacturing operation in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The company will repurpose space at Heartland Commerce Park, the former Siemens and Rolls-Royce campus, as part of a $4.25 million investment. The project will create 40 new jobs and bring renewed activity to one of Knox County’s most historically significant industrial sites.

“This investment represents a long-term commitment to American manufacturing and the communities that make it possible,” said Greg Sanders, President and Chief Executive Officer of Becker Mining America. “Mount Vernon offers the right combination of location, workforce and industrial capability. We are excited to get to work.”

Becker Mining Systems will leverage its global manufacturing expertise and intellectual property to expand its presence in the United States, delivering greater value to its growing North American customer base. The new Mount Vernon facility will serve as a strategic hub for the production of critical components used in underground mining systems, including powered roof supports and complementary ecosystem products. By localizing manufacturing and integrating proven global technologies, Becker will enhance supply chain resilience, accelerate delivery timelines, and provide customers with advanced, reliable solutions designed to meet the evolving demands of the mining industry.

“Becker Mining’s investment brings renewed purpose to a site that has meant a great deal to generations of Mount Vernon families,” said Mount Vernon Mayor Matthew Starr. “This is a meaningful step forward for our local economy and a sign that our community remains a place where manufacturing can thrive.”

The site Becker is moving into has a long industrial legacy. For decades, it served as a major hub for heavy manufacturing, employing hundreds across multiple generations. However, the workforce began to shrink around 2014, and by 2018, most operations had ceased. Since then, efforts have been underway to revitalize the property, now called Heartland Commerce Park, for modern industry. Becker is one of several manufacturers helping to write the next chapter for this site.

“We welcome Becker Mining’s first investment in Ohio, a testament to the confidence international companies have in our state as a platform for strategic growth,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Mount Vernon is proof that when global innovators look to expand, Ohio offers the talent, infrastructure and business climate to help them succeed.”

The Columbus Region continues to attract global manufacturers. More than 40 percent of the current One Columbus project pipeline consists of foreign direct investment, a reflection of the region’s growing reputation as a place where companies from around the world can build and scale.

“When a company puts down roots in a place, it is making a statement about what it sees in that community,” said Matt McCollister, interim president of One Columbus. “Becker’s decision to invest here sends a clear message that Mount Vernon is ready for manufacturing growth, and we are proud to help make that happen.”

Becker’s project benefits from strong regional collaboration. The Knox County Land Bank has committed over $500,000 in environmental remediation and infrastructure improvements to support site redevelopment, helping make the campus move-in ready for advanced manufacturing.

“The site Becker is moving into has nearly 200 years of deep industrial roots,” said Sam Filkins, President of the Knox County Area Development Foundation and Land Bank. “Since acquiring the site, the Knox County Land Bank has been intentional about redeveloping it to ensure it continues to drive manufacturing growth and regional benefits. Knox County is well-positioned for this development because of our highly skilled workforce and the community’s strong commitment to supporting industry. Becker’s arrival is a perfect fit. It builds on the park’s long legacy of production and continues our region’s tradition of industrial excellence.”

Hiring is expected to begin in this October, with operations shipping product by the end of 2025.