Peach Tree Times

Governor Kemp Announces Ritz Instrument Transformers Expansion, 130 New Jobs in Burke County

Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced today that Ritz Instrument Transformers (Ritz), an international manufacturer of instrument transformers and cast parts for the utility and original equipment manufacturing (OEM) sectors, will invest $28 million in a new facility in Waynesboro. This investment is expected to create 130 new jobs in Burke County.

“Like so many other job creators, Ritz knows that Georgia has what it needs to succeed, and we're proud they've chosen the best state for business yet again for this expansion,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “We've worked hard to bring opportunity like this to rural Georgia, and we're proud this project adds even more jobs to one of those target areas following our face-to-face meeting with Ritz during our travel to Germany in 2023. I look forward to the growing impact Ritz will have on Burke County and the surrounding region in the years to come.”

Ritz develops and produces instrument transformers from 600 V to 500 kV and solid insulation bus-bar systems. The company currently operates two facilities in Georgia. A temporary facility in Burke County supports 30 jobs, which will be transferred to the new facility once operational. Another existing facility in Lavonia opened in 2010 and produces low-voltage, medium-voltage, and high-voltage instrument transformers for the utility and OEM sectors.

“The investment in a new state-of-the-art factory for high-voltage instrument transformers in Waynesboro marks the single-largest investment to date for the Ritz Group and illustrates the commitment of the company to the North American market,” said Ritz USA CEO and General Manager Scott Flowers. “We are excited to call Waynesboro our long-term home. The availability of a well-trained workforce and the support extended by Burke County and the State of Georgia made Waynesboro the obvious choice for Ritz.”

The new facility will be located at Burke County Industrial Park, producing high-voltage instrument transformers with operations expected to begin in late 2025.

Ritz will be hiring for roles including management, administrative staff, technicians, operators, maintenance personnel, and testers over the next few years. Interested individuals can learn more about careers with Ritz at ritzusa.com/careers.

“The Development Authority of Burke County is extremely excited that Ritz is choosing Waynesboro to build their state-of-the-art high voltage manufacturing facility,” said Development Authority of Burke County Executive Director Austin Stacy. “Their building in the Industrial Park will kick off the final phase of the park and will serve as a catalyst to complete its remaining portion.”

Senior Regional Project Manager Adela Kelley represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project alongside partners from both local authorities and international offices.

“The State of Georgia’s relationships in Europe have helped position the state and investor companies for long-term success,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Over 30 years ago, Ritz chose to enter the U.S. market through a location in Georgia...Ritz’s growth in Burke County is a great example of how our international partnerships like those with Germany continue benefiting Georgians.”

Georgia has fostered healthy industry practices over decades while encouraging collaboration and innovation across various emerging industries such as electric vehicles between 2018-2023 alone investments topped $27.3 billion.

Georgia’s utilities remain committed towards supplying reliable energy aligning with sustainability goals; Plant Vogtle Units now fully operational expectantly generating over thirty million megawatt hours annually sufficient enough powering approximately half-million homes/businesses per unit according estimates provided by Georgia Power.

About Ritz Instrument Transformers

Headquartered Hamburg Germany privately held entity employs upwards thirteen hundred personnel globally spread across nine facilities specializes primarily within transformer/bus system manufacturing domains respectively.

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