Two Johnston County industries are expanding

Industry and County officials take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking at AdvanceTEC.

SMITHFIELD — Two Johnston County manufacturers have announced expansions that will bring nearly $50 million in private investment and create 250 new jobs.

AdvanceTEC, a designer and builder of clean rooms, is investing $7.5 million to expand its plant between Clayton and Smithfield, creating 160 new jobs.

The expansion follows the company’s acquisition last fall by France-based Pierre Guerin, which designs and manufactures stainless steel tanks and automated production lines for the life sciences, cosmetics, and food and beverage industries.

AdvanceTEC currently operates a 98,000-square-foot plant on 12 acres off U.S. 70 Business. The expansion will add just over 32,000 square feet. Working with Goldsboro-based Jackson Builders, the company expects to complete the project next summer.

Since the acquisition, AdvanceTEC has grown its Johnston County workforce from just over 80 employees to 168, according to founder and CEO John Burton.

“We’ve been extremely fortunate since being here, landing several large projects, and we’ve seen significant growth,” Burton said. “We have a backlog like we’ve never seen.”

Separately, OPW, a maker of fuel-handling systems, will invest $42 million to expand its plant near Johnston Regional Airport, adding 90 jobs.

The company, part of Illinois-based Dover Corp., has manufacturing operations in China, Malaysia, Sweden and the United Kingdom, but its Smithfield plant serves as OPW’s headquarters. Since 2006, the company has grown its local workforce from about 50 employees to roughly 500.

“It's a great North Carolina story, and it wouldn't be possible without the support of the community, government officials, and our employees,” said Michael McCann, OPW’s vice president and general manager.

ARCO Design/Build will construct the two-story, 144,000-square-foot expansion, which it expects to complete in the second quarter of 2027.

Greg Kennedy, OPW’s vice president of operations, credited Johnston County’s workforce and its partnership with Johnston Community College for helping the company grow.

“Johnston Community College has done tremendous things for us,” Kennedy said. “We have great training programs we've developed in partnership with JCC that help educate kids in this area.”

Industry and County officials turn ceremonial dirt at OPW.

Page last updated on:  August 13, 2026