Headquarters
CharlotteUSA
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
The Charlotte USA region continues to strengthen its position as one of the most dynamic and diversified
locations in North America. This 16-county economic region – 12 counties in North Carolina and 4 in South
Carolina – is home to more than 950 foreign-owned firms, eight FORTUNE 500 company headquarters and a
growing population of over 2.7 million residents. The Charlotte – Gastonia – Rock Hill MSA remains a strong
growth center, and the Hickory MSA, just 45 minutes from downtown Charlotte has now reached a population of
over 365,000.
This information package provides an overview of the Charlotte USA Headquarters market. For today’s
Headquarters operations - Charlotte USA is the location for business. Our region offers a very cost competitive
business climate, an available and skilled workforce, a great quality of life and access to nationally recognized
colleges and universities that focus on preparing students to enter the workforce. There are numerous reasons
why our existing headquarters have all decided to call the Charlotte region home.
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
Charlotte USA:

Largest metropolitan area in the Carolinas

2nd largest financial center in the U.S.

Eight Fortune 500 firms headquarters

Population 2.7 million; workforce over 1.5 million

Nation’s 6th busiest international airport (Charlotte Douglas International)

Consistently ranked among fastest growing cities in U.S.

Largest international community in the Carolinas
Charlotte USA Fortune 500/1000 Companies 2013
Company
Bank of America Corp
Lowe's Co. Inc
Duke Energy Corp
Nucor Corp.
Family Dollar Stores, Inc.
Sonic Automotive Inc.
SPX Corp.
Domtar
Resolute Forest Products
Belk
Carlisle Companies
American Tire Distribution
Babcock & Wilcox
Chiquita Brands International
Fortune 500
Industry
Finance
Home Improvement
Utility
Steel
Consumer Products
Automotive
Manufacturing
Paper
Fortune 1000
Manufacturing
Retail
Manufacturing
Distributor
Manufacturing
Consumer Product
Rank
City
21
56
145
146
287
307
431
458
Charlotte
Mooresville
Charlotte
Charlotte
Matthews
Charlotte
Charlotte
Fort Mill
530
592
627
647
670
700
York
Charlotte
Charlotte
Huntersville
Charlotte
Charlotte
Source: Fortune Magazine 2013
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
Fortune 500 Headquarters
8 Fortune 500 headquarters locations
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
Highly Educated Population:
 Almost 40% of Charlotte’s residents 25 and older hold at least a bachelor’s degree (ACS 2005-2009)

More than 2,000 students enrolled in MBA programs at local universities

First-class corporate community attracts best and brightest from nearby institutions such as Duke University, UNC
Chapel Hill, Clemson University, Wake Forest University and Davidson College

Language immersion programs (K-12) offered in Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, and Cherokee

More than 180,000 students enrolled in 37 colleges and universities
Map of Universities
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
Rapidly Growing Urban Core:

Within one mile radius of Charlotte’s bustling city center:
o 47% of the population between ages 24-44 (STDB)
o 15+ new high-rise residential towers either under construction

Uptown residential population
expected to increase from 13,000 to
26,000 by 2012
o 84% employed in white collar positions
(STDB)
28% Management/Business/Financial
occupations

40% - Professional occupations

16% - Sales occupations
$6 billion in development in Uptown &
Southend which includes new retail, office,
recreational and residential space
48 + theatres, art galleries, museums and
recreational venues exist in uptown
Lynx light rail is a part of a $3 billion mass
transit system under construction (one leg into center city complete)

o
o
o
International Community:

Largest international community in North and South Carolina

More than 950 foreign-owned firms operate in Charlotte USA,
representing more than 50 countries

More than 25 business and cultural associations representing
residents
from Europe, Asia, Latin America, South America and Canada

10 Honorary consuls based in Charlotte region from Germany,
Italy, France, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Mexico, Estonia, and
Moldova

Five full-language immersion programs offered K-12 – German,
French, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, and Cherokee

Averaging 100,000 new residents per year to the region since
2005
Mild Climate

Charlotte USA’s weather is considered ideal for outdoor activities and outside events for most of the year. Average
temperatures range from 76 degrees in summer to 43 degrees in winter. Average annual snow accumulation is
less than 6” inches (NOAA)

Absence of severe weather makes the Charlotte region attractive to companies that find uninterrupted utility
service (and uninterrupted workdays) critical to their operations.

Hurricanes and tornados are rarities.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is ranked as one of the most punctual airports in the country, in part due to
the lack of weather related delays.
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT):

Largest international airport in North and South Carolina

Ranked 6th busiest airport in the world (ACI)

Direct nonstop service to more than 140 domestic and international destinations
o Top 5 domestic markets include Atlanta, New York, Baltimore, Chicago and Washington, DC
o Daily nonstop flights to London, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Rio De Janeiro, Toronto, Mexico City

More than 700 daily departures

Average wait time for security clearance less than 10 minutes

4th Runway complete with construction underway to expand the inter-modal facility
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
Busiest U.S. Airports (by aircraft movements): Charlotte ranks 6th in the nation
TOTAL Takeoffs and Landings
RANK
Airport Name
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International
Chicago O-Hare International
Los Angeles CA, US (LAX)
Dallas/Fort Worth TX, International
Denver International
Charlotte-Douglas International
Beijing Capital International
7
Las Vegas - McCarran International
8
9
Houston - George Bush Intercontinental
Paris Charles de Gaulle
10
Frankfurt
11
London Heathrow
12
Phoenix-Sky Harbor International
13
Philadelphia International
14
Detroit Metro
15
Amsterdam – Schipol Airport
16
Minneapolis – St. Paul International
17
Madrid - Barajas International
18
Toronto - Pearson International
19
Source: Airports Council International – 2011 (Update 7/8/2013)
1
2
3
4
5
6
923 996
878 798
702 895
646 803
628 796
539 842
533 257
531 538
517 262
514 059
487 162
480 931
461 989
448 129
443 028
437 083
436 506
429 390
428 764
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
Cost of Living/Mobility:
Comparison Among Major Fortune 500 Cities
# of Fortune 500
Cost of
Avg. Apt
HQ’s
Living
Rent
Avg. Home Price
City
Avg. commute Time
(Minutes)**
Charlotte
8*
93.7
$790
$231,090
22
Atlanta
10
95.0
$893
$238,501
28
Chicago
21
118.6
$1,200
$399,300
28.5
Cincinnati
10
91.1
$828
$213,682
21.5
Cleveland
5
101.9
$985
$267,761
21.5
Columbus
6
89.2
$768
$216,923
20.5
Dallas
21
96.4
$792
$210,370
23
Denver
10
105.1
$931
$340,529
23.5
Houston
26
94.2
$1,311
$231,179
25
Milwaukee
8
101
$822
$316,846
20
Minneapolis
18
110.8
$1,144
$362,400
21.5
New York
54
229.6
$4,088
$1,325,000
30
Philadelphia
14
122.8
$1,242
$390,829
23.5
Pittsburgh
6
95.7
$855
$218,320
21
Richmond
San
Francisco
8
100.6
$841
$258,000
21.5
9
168.3
$2,702
$813,600
25
C2ER Cost of Living 2012Q3
*Companies located in 16-County Charlotte USA region
** Metropolitan Statistical Areas, ACS 2011
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
Headquarter Recent Announcements:
2013 July: Implan Group, a business services company that studies economic impacts of regions, will open its headquarter
in Mecklenburg County, NC. The company plans to create 39 employees by the end of 2014.
2013 July: Grocer Publix Super Markets will open its Charlotte division headquarter in Mecklenburg County, NC.
2013 June: Schleich U.S.A., a German toy manufacturer, will open its North American headquarters and distribution center
in Mecklenburg County, NC. The company plans to create more than 60 jobs in the region.
2013 May: Integro Technologies, a systems designer for production lines, will open its $3.2 million headquarter in Rowan
County, NC. The company plans to create 190 jobs for the region.
2013 May: Borghetti Turbos North America Inc., a Brazilian automotive parts manufacturer, will open its North American
headquarter in Mecklenburg County, NC. The company will invest $7 million and plans to create 127 jobs in the region.
2013 July: Argol America Inc., an Italian logistics services company, has chosen Mecklenburg County, NC for its North
American headquarter. The company plans to hire 20 employees over the next three years.
2013 July: Pactera Technology International, a China based IT consulting firm, will open its U.S. headquarter in
Mecklenburg County, NC. The company plans to create 200 jobs with an average salary of $100,000.
2013 April: m_Pac USA LLC, a German based manufacturer of surveillance systems, will open its U.S. headquarter in
Mecklenburg County, NC. The company may open a manufacturing and assembly center within the next 18 months.
2013 April: Advance Detection Technology, a manufacturer of bomb-detection and security systems, will open its global
headquarter in Iredell County, NC. The company employs 16 full time and plans to hire additional positions.
2013 March: Metlife Inc., a leading global life insurance and employee benefits company, will open a division headquarter
in Lincoln County, NC. The company will invest $125.5 million and create 1,300 jobs in the area.
2013 March: SunTrust Banks, a commercial banking company offering financial services to both corporate and consumer
clients, will open a regional headquarters operation in Mecklenburg County, NC.
2013 March: AREVA NP Inc., a France-based company that offers technology solutions for nuclear power generation, will
open its North American headquarters in Mecklenburg County, NC. The expansion is expected to generate 130 new energy
jobs in the area.
2013 March: Rack Room Shoes Inc., a retailer of footwear, will bring its corporate headquarters to Mecklenburg County,
NC. This $16 million expansion is expected to generate 87 new jobs to the region.
2013 March: Masterwork USA Inc., a China-based print finishing equipment manufacturer, plans to set up its US
headquarters in Mecklenburg County, NC. This expansion is expected to generate 30 new jobs for the region.
2013 February: Integro Technologies Corp., which designs systems to ensure production line quality, will build a new
headquarter in Rowan County, NC. The company will build a $4 million building and generate 42 jobs in the region, 12 of
which are high paying.
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
2013 February: Siser USA LLC, an Italian owned solar company offering services in plan design, permit and licensure, and
equipment selection, will establish its US headquarters in Mecklenburg County, NC. The company plans to create 10
additional jobs in the region.
2013 February: AllFit Inc., a company that specializes in warehousing, delivery and assembly of physical fitness
equipment, will open its US headquarters in Mecklenburg County, NC. The company plans to create 50 jobs.
2012 December: JELD-WEN Inc., a manufacturer of windows and doors, will open its global headquarters in Mecklenburg
County, NC. The company plans to invest $2 million and create 142 jobs in the region with an average annual payroll of
$13.4 million plus benefits.
2012 August: Schletter Inc., a German owned solar-energy equipment company producing solar-power mounting
systems, will open its U.S. corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility in Cleveland County, NC. The $27 million
facility is expected to generate 305 jobs and pay an average of $40, 660 per year plus benefits. This facility is expected to
bring faster delivery to customers along the East Coast.
2012 July: Keller USA Inc., producer of industrial filtration products for the manufacturing, automotive and aircraft
industries, will invest $2.5 million to establish a North American headquarter and a manufacturing 16,000 square foot facility
in York County, SC bringing 20 jobs to the area.
2012 July: inVentiv Medical Management , a health-care consulting company providing physician expertise with
technology for third-party administrators, insurance carriers, employer groups and care organizations, opened their new
headquarter in Mecklenburg County, NC, relocating from Augusta, GA. The company will add 25-30 new jobs.
2012 June: Rockwood Lithium, manufacturer and refiner of lithium products, will invest $75 million and create 100 jobs to
Cleveland County, NC.
Charlotte USA Headquarters, 100+ employees
Employer Official Name Sector titles
Emp. City
State
Carolinas HealthCare System Health Care & Social Assistance
32500 Charlotte
NC
Wells Fargo Company Finance & Insurance
20600 Charlotte
NC
Bank of America Finance & Insurance
15000 Charlotte
NC
Novant Healthcare Health Care & Social Assistance
10573 Charlotte
NC
Lowe's Companies Inc. Retail Trade
8500 NC
Mooresville
Delhaize America Inc. Retail Trade
7734 Salisbury
NC
Harris Teeter Supermarkets Retail Trade
5206 Matthews
NC
Duke Energy Corp. Utilities
4800 Charlotte
NC
Caromont Health Inc. Health Care & Social Assistance
3850 Gastonia
NC
Compass Group North America Accommodation & Food Services
3660 Charlotte
NC
TIAA‐CREF Finance & Insurance
3500 Charlotte
NC
Target Stores Retail Trade
3495 Regional
‐
Time Warner Cable, Inc. Information
3200 Charlotte
NC
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
Employer Official Name Sector titles
Emp. City
State
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Educational Services
3,100 Charlotte
NC
Ingersoll Rand Co. Ltd. Manufacturing
2,796 Davidson
NC
YMCA of Greater Charlotte Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
2,783 Charlotte
NC
Family Dollar Stores Inc. Retail Trade
2,702 Matthews
NC
Central Piedmont Community College Educational Services
2,700 Charlotte
NC
Adecco Staffing Administrative Support 2,600 Charlotte
NC
Belk Inc. Retail Trade
2,600 Charlotte
NC
AT&T North Carolina Information
2,485 Charlotte
NC
Catawba Valley Medical Center Health Care & Social Assistance
2,200 Hickory
NC
DMSI Inc. Transportation & Warehousing
2,175 Charlotte
NC
FedEx Corp. Transportation & Warehousing
1,990 Charlotte
NC
Schaeffler Group USA Inc. Manufacturing
1,987 Fort Mill
SC
Bojangles' Restaurants Inc. Accommodation & Food Services
1,892 Charlotte
NC
Windstream Communications Information
1,876 Matthews
NC
CommScope Inc. Manufacturing
1,820 Hickory
NC
Hendrick Automotive Group Retail Trade
1,723 Charlotte
NC
Iredell Memorial Hospital Health Care & Social Assistance
1,700 Statesville
NC
Allegheny Technologies Inc. Manufacturing
1,500 Monroe
NC
Lash Group, The 1,500 Charlotte
NC
Merchants Distributors, Inc. Professional, Scientific & Technical Services Wholesale Trade
1,400 Hickory
NC
Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co. Manufacturing
1,363 Hickory
NC
Rowan Regional Medical Center
Health Care & Social Assistance
1,300 Salisbury
NC
Pharr Yarns LLC Manufacturing
1,292 McAdenville
NC
Winthrop University Educational Services
1,238 Rock Hill
SC
Snyder's‐Lance Inc. Manufacturing
1,210 Charlotte
NC
Affinia Group Inc. Manufacturing
1,200 Gastonia
NC
Conbraco Industries Inc. Manufacturing
1,200 Matthews
NC
Shaw Group 1,200 Charlotte
NC
American Red Cross Professional, Scientific & Technical Services Health Care & Social Assistance
1,173 Charlotte
NC
Allen Tate Co. Inc. Real Estate & Rental & Leasing
1,152 Charlotte
NC
Coca‐Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated Manufacturing
1,117 Charlotte
NC
Charlotte Pipe & Foundry Co. Manufacturing
1,110 Charlotte
NC
OrthoCarolina Health Care & Social Assistance
1,100 Charlotte
NC
Parkdale Mills Inc. Manufacturing
1,000 Gastonia
NC
Red Ventures LLC Professional, Scientific & Technical Services Information
1,000 Fort Mill
SC
956 Rock Hill
SC
Comporium Communications For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
Employer Official Name Sector titles
Emp. City
State
American & Efird Inc. Manufacturing
913 Mount Holly
NC
Allegiance Staffing 907 Charlotte
NC
900 Charlotte
NC
880 Charlotte
NC
Shurtape Technologies, LLC Administration Support & Waste Managment/Remediation Services Professional, Scientific & Technical Services Administration Support & Waste Managment/Remediation Services Manufacturing
846 Hickory
NC
Shoe Show Inc., The Retail Trade
821 Concord NC
Davidson College Educational Services
800 Davidson
NC
LPL Financial Services Finance & Insurance
789 Charlotte
NC
Stanly Regional Medical Center Health Care & Social Assistance
772 Albemarle
NC
YMCA Upper Palmetto Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
755 Rock Hill
SC
Electrolux North America Manufacturing
750 Charlotte
NC
Kelly Services Inc. 750 Charlotte
NC
US Foods Inc. Administration Support & Waste Managment/Remediation Services Wholesale Trade
750 Fort Mill
SC
Cato Corp., The Retail Trade
712 Charlotte
NC
Celgard, LLC Manufacturing
710 Charlotte
NC
Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc. Utilities
710 Charlotte
NC
Premier Inc. Insource Performance Solutions LLC Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Manufacturing
700 Taylorsville
NC
Piedmont Healthcare Health Care & Social Assistance
700 Statesville
NC
U.S. National Whitewater Center Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
700 Charlotte
NC
Lutheran Services for the Aging Health Care & Social Assistance
693 Salisbury
NC
Clariant Corp. USA Manufacturing
685 Charlotte
NC
Outback Steakhouse Inc. Accommodation & Food Services
682 Regional ‐
Timken Co., The Manufacturing
671 Charlotte
NC
T&B Concepts/Hickory Tavern Accommodation & Food Services
650 Regional
‐
Transit Management of Charlotte, Inc. Transportation & Warehousing
638 Charlotte
NC
S&D Coffee Inc. Manufacturing
636 Concord
NC
StrataForce, a Greene Group Co. Administrative Support 630 Davidson
NC
Wilkinson & Associates Real Estate & Rental & Leasing
630 Charlotte
NC
Integra Staffing & Search 625 Charlotte
NC
Davis Regional Medical Center Administration Support & Waste Managment/Remediation Services Health Care & Social Assistance
620 Statesville
NC
Sonic Automotive Retail Trade
610 Charlotte
NC
ACN Inc. Information
600 Concord NC
Cargo Transporters Transportation & Warehousing
600 Claremont
NC
Charlotte Restaurant Distributors, Inc. Accommodation & Food Services
600 Metrolina Greenhouses Inc. Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting
600 Huntersville
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
NC
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
Employer Official Name Show Pros Entertainment Services Inc. Sector titles
City
State
600 Charlotte
NC
578 Charlotte
NC
576 Charlotte
NC
Educational Services
576 Dallas NC
Hendrick Motorsports Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
575 Charlotte
NC
Performance Fibers Inc. Wholesale Trade
571 Huntersville
NC
Parsons Environment & Infrastructure 552 Charlotte
NC
Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont Professional, Scientific & Technical Services Health Care & Social Assistance
546 Charlotte
NC
NGK Ceramics USA Inc. Manufacturing
540 Mooresville
NC
Gardner‐Webb University Educational Services
537 NC
Mecklenburg EMS Agency Health Care & Social Assistance
525 Boiling Springs Charlotte
AccruePartners Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates PA Gaston College Administration Support & Waste Managment/Remediation Services Administration Support & Waste Managment/Remediation Services Health Care & Social Assistance
Emp. NC
Tuscarora Yarns Inc. Manufacturing
525 Atlas Copco Wholesale Trade
515 Rock Hill
SC
Autobell Car Wash Inc. 510 Charlotte
NC
Wingate University Other Services (Except Public Administration) Educational Services
510 Wingate
NC
American Tire Distributors Inc. Retail Trade
405 Huntersville
NC
Chiquita Brands International 350 Charlotte
NC
218 Charlotte
NC
Domtar Paper Co LLC Management of Companies & Enterprises Professional, Scientific & Technical Services Paper Except Newsprint Mills
200 Fort Mill
SC
Babcox & Wilcox Wholesale Trade
163 Charlotte
NC
SPX Corp 100 Charlotte
NC
Resolute Forest Products Inc General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing Paper mill and wood product
‐ Catawba
SC
Nucor Steel Manufacturing
‐ Charlotte
NC
Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group *Employee numbers are approximate and are subject to change
Total Employers: 100
Total Employees: 218,538
8 Fortune 500 Headquarters
6 Fortune 1000 Headquarters
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
QUALITY OF LIFE:
Mild Climate

Charlotte USA’s weather is considered ideal for outdoor activities and outside events for most of the year. Average
temperatures range from 76 degrees in summer to 43 degrees in winter. Average annual snow accumulation is
less than 6” inches. (NOAA)

Absence of severe weather makes the Charlotte region attractive to companies that find uninterrupted utility
service (and uninterrupted workdays) critical to their operations.

Hurricanes and tornados are rarities.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is ranked as one of the most punctual airports in the country, in part due to
the lack of weather related delays.
Performing Arts
• Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
• The Philharmonic Orchestra
• Carolinas Concert Association
• Charlotte Repertory Theatre
• Theatre Charlotte
• North Carolina Dance Theatre
• Opera Carolina
• Charlotte Choral Society
• Children’s Theater
• Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
3 hours from South Carolina beaches
Mountain biking, whitewater rafting
Over 60 golf courses
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942
Charlotte USA Headquarters Information
Quality of Life
For more information contact The Charlotte Regional Partnership www.charlotteusa.com or 704-347-8942