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The Importance of
Commercial Truck Insurance in Burlington, NC
- Let's face it - truckers in America have always been the backbone of our great country. They still are in modern times. On any given day, thousands of trucks traverse our highways and local roads, delivering goods and products on time so that businesses and consumers have what they need to live life. And while commercial trucking can be an incredibly lucrative way to make a living and put food on the table, it can also be risky and expensive.
- Whether you're the owner of a fleet, an independent trucker, or have a business that uses big rigs to transport goods, you need commercial trucking insurance to protect you and your client's investments, shield you from liability, and more.
- That's where working with a reliable truck insurance agency comes into play. Unfortunately, for many commercial truck insurance providers, serving the needs of truckers is low on the proverbial totem pole. At Independence Insurance Agency, nothing could be further from the truth.
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The Commercial Truck
Insurance Agency in Burlington, NC You Can Trust
Much like you pride yourself on running a successful trucking business, Independence Insurance Agency prides itself on its years of experience providing truck insurance for hardworking men and women across the country. And in our experience, insurance rates for truckers are just too high - so high, in fact, that they eat away at their bottom line, making it more difficult to run a business and make a profit. Fortunately, at Independence Insurance Agency, we provide truckers the freedom they need from astronomically high insurance rates so they can stay on the road and keep driving America forward.
As one of the most trusted commercial trucking insurance agencies in the U.S., we understand the challenges that you face daily as a trucker. We also know how important it is to protect your business. That's why we go above and beyond to find you the best-priced coverage available, whether you're an operator, own a small fleet, a large fleet, or something in between.
We Put Truckers First Because Others Don't
Truckers across the country choose to work with Independence Insurance Agency because we put their needs first before anything else. As experts in transportation insurance, we proudly offer a range of quality insurance products that are both practical and affordable for them. Our industry-leading carriers provide coverage that caters to the unique challenges faced by the trucking industry, ensuring that your business is protected at all times.
At our core, we are committed to finding the best possible price for your coverage without compromising the quality of service you deserve. The truth is, we understand how essential truckers are to the United States and take pride in making their insurance experience more streamlined and affordable.
One way we do so is by simplifying the insurance process. Our transportation specialists take the time to understand your specific needs and budget to tailor a comprehensive plan that works for you. You won't ever have to worry about cookie-cutter plans or uninterested agents when you work with our commercial trucking insurance agency. We take an educational approach to ensure that the entire big rig insurance process is quick, painless, and easy to understand. If there's something you don't understand, we're happy to take the time to explain. After all, the success and safety of your business are on the line.
Looking to the future, we are committed to providing innovative new products that cater to the ever-changing needs of truck drivers. As your one-stop shop for commercial trucking insurance, we are dedicated to your success, one policy at a time.
If you're a commercial trucker looking to ensure your rig, you can rest easy knowing that Independence Insurance Agency provides:
- Affordable Trucking Insurance Plans for Any Budget
- Exemplary Customer Service
- Seasoned Transportation Specialists Who Customize Plans to Your Needs
- A+ Carriers Across the Country
- Simple, Easy Quote and Bind Process
- Multiple Insurance Carriers Quoted to Find You the Best Rates
- Truck Insurance for New Ventures
Call us or send us a message today to learn more about the best 18-wheeler insurance options for your trucking business.
The Commercial Truck
Common Types of Big Rig Truck Insurance in Burlington, NC
At Independence Insurance Agency, we offer several types of insurance coverage for local, intermediate, and long-haul trucking needs. Here are just a few categories of trucking insurance coverage that our agency offers.
As the foundation of your insurance policy, liability coverage is required by law in most states in the U.S. It provides coverage for damage or injuries caused to properties or other people if your 18-wheeler is responsible for the crash. Without liability coverage, it's almost impossible to drive a truck or run a trucking business without major legal consequences.
Having physical damage coverage is an essential component that shouldn't be overlooked. This insurance is responsible for covering the expenses related to repairing or replacing your truck in situations such as accidents, theft, vandalism, and other damaging events. By having this coverage, you can rest assured that your business won't be affected significantly by unexpected incidents, and you can continue running your operations smoothly even in challenging times.
For trucking companies, the goods they transport are crucial to their operations. To protect these goods from damage, loss, or theft while in transit, cargo insurance is essential. This coverage provides much-needed peace of mind for both you and your clients, allowing you to reimburse clients for any losses sustained while protecting your reputation and brand identity.
Non-Trucking Liability Insurance is designed to cover property damage or bodily injury that may occur during personal time when the driver/truck is not under dispatch. This coverage can be applied with or without a trailer and is added to a commercial policy as an endorsement.
While Independence Insurance Agency has built a reputation of excellence in serving the needs of truckers, we also offer general liability. Also known as Truckers General Liability, this coverage insures for bodily injuries or property damage that happen due to business activities that are NOT the cause of operating a truck. It covers accidents that occur in parking lots, rest stops, also while loading or unloading. General liability can also cover losses related to theft and vandalism. Most brokers and shippers will require this coverage to work with you.
Bobtail insurance is a type of coverage that is comparable to non-trucking liability, which is designed to offer protection when driving a truck without a trailer attached. This is commonly referred to as "bobtailing." With bobtail insurance, the tractor is covered at all times, even when it is not attached to a trailer, regardless of whether or not the truck is under dispatch.
Trailer interchange insurance is a must-have if you're involved in a trailer interchange agreement. This essential coverage offers protection for trailers owned by other parties that you're using under a contractual agreement. It covers damages caused by collisions, fire, theft, and vandalism, providing assurance to all parties involved.
Curious whether our commercial truck insurance agency in cityname, state offers additional coverage? The following options can be bound in your insurance policy:
- Business Interruption Insurance
- Reefer Breakdown Insurance
- Occupational Accident with Contract Liability Insurance
- Rental Reimbursement Insurance
- Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Insurance
- Towing Insurance
- Electronics Insurance
- Much More
3 Safe Driving Tips to
Lower the Cost of Truck Insurance in Burlington, NC
Keeping your drivers safe on the road is crucial not only for their own well-being but also for the safety of other motorists and the financial stability of your business. The Department of Labor has identified the trucking industry as one of the most hazardous sectors in the U.S. In fact, trucking and logistics fleets are known for their high injury and fatality rates. By improving how safely your truckers drive, you can help reduce expenses related to claim payouts, accidents, and insurance premium hikes.
Whether you own a large fleet or you're the owner and operator of a single rig, keep these safe driving tips in mind to help lower your insurance costs.
Implement Preventative Maintenance Plans
Ensuring the safety of your drivers begins with the safety of their vehicles. Trucks and tractor-trailers that do not receive regular maintenance, such as oil and brake pad changes, are more likely to experience breakdowns while on the road. Telematics devices provide real-time insight into engine and odometer data, including fault codes.
This information enables your mechanics to create comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules based on mileage, history of previous breakdowns, days, and more. Additionally, they can receive immediate notifications for critical fault codes. By implementing routine maintenance and proactive repair schedules, you can ensure that your vehicles are in top condition, minimizing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can help reduce the cost of trucker insurance.
Call NowPractice Defensive Driving
This approach aims to mitigate the risk of fatal crashes and injuries by proactively identifying and responding to potentially dangerous situations and making informed decisions while driving. By adopting defensive driving techniques, drivers can reduce their likelihood of accidents, thereby minimizing the need for expensive repairs, claim payouts, and increased insurance premiums.
Some of the easiest ways for you or your drivers to practice safe driving include:
- Be Wary of Blind Spots: Operating a reefer or tractor-trailer means driving high off of the ground, which can make visibility limited, especially in blind spots. To check your blind spot, look over your shoulder and out of your windows while changing lanes.
- Be Ready for Emergencies on the Road: It's important for drivers to be ready for unexpected situations when driving, especially during long trips. They should be equipped to handle emergencies such as poor driving conditions or big rig breakdowns.
- Use the Three-Second Rule: Truck drivers should try to maintain a three-second gap between their vehicle and the car in front of them. This means that the truck driver should reach a certain point on the road three seconds after the car in front of them has passed that same point.
- Always Use Right and Left Turn Indicators: It's important for drivers to always use their turn signals when changing lanes or exiting highways, even if they don't see any other cars around. This is not only required by law, but it also reduces the chances of accidents occurring on the road.
Find Ways to Prevent Distracted Driving
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), distracted driving is the primary reason behind truck driver accidents. Any activity that takes a driver's attention away from the road or the steering wheel is considered distracted driving. Distractions can come in various forms, such as eating while driving or gazing at a billboard outside the window. However, the most frequent form of distracted driving is the use of cellphones, specifically texting while driving.
Assuming you or your driver's rigs are equipped with dual-facing cameras, try reviewing footage of an unsafe driving incident. Coach your drivers on ways to correct their unsafe behaviors or look up ways to do so yourself if you're the one operating the big rig. The bottom line is that when your drivers aren't distracted, they drive safer. And when they drive safer, the cost of 18-wheeler insurance in cityname, state can be reduced.
Call NowEnsuring the safety of your drivers begins with the safety of their vehicles. Trucks and tractor-trailers that do not receive regular maintenance, such as oil and brake pad changes, are more likely to experience breakdowns while on the road. Telematics devices provide real-time insight into engine and odometer data, including fault codes.
This information enables your mechanics to create comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules based on mileage, history of previous breakdowns, days, and more. Additionally, they can receive immediate notifications for critical fault codes. By implementing routine maintenance and proactive repair schedules, you can ensure that your vehicles are in top condition, minimizing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can help reduce the cost of trucker insurance.
Call NowThis approach aims to mitigate the risk of fatal crashes and injuries by proactively identifying and responding to potentially dangerous situations and making informed decisions while driving. By adopting defensive driving techniques, drivers can reduce their likelihood of accidents, thereby minimizing the need for expensive repairs, claim payouts, and increased insurance premiums.
Some of the easiest ways for you or your drivers to practice safe driving include:
- Be Wary of Blind Spots: Operating a reefer or tractor-trailer means driving high off of the ground, which can make visibility limited, especially in blind spots. To check your blind spot, look over your shoulder and out of your windows while changing lanes.
- Be Ready for Emergencies on the Road: It's important for drivers to be ready for unexpected situations when driving, especially during long trips. They should be equipped to handle emergencies such as poor driving conditions or big rig breakdowns.
- Use the Three-Second Rule: Truck drivers should try to maintain a three-second gap between their vehicle and the car in front of them. This means that the truck driver should reach a certain point on the road three seconds after the car in front of them has passed that same point.
- Always Use Right and Left Turn Indicators: It's important for drivers to always use their turn signals when changing lanes or exiting highways, even if they don't see any other cars around. This is not only required by law, but it also reduces the chances of accidents occurring on the road.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), distracted driving is the primary reason behind truck driver accidents. Any activity that takes a driver's attention away from the road or the steering wheel is considered distracted driving. Distractions can come in various forms, such as eating while driving or gazing at a billboard outside the window. However, the most frequent form of distracted driving is the use of cellphones, specifically texting while driving.
Assuming you or your driver's rigs are equipped with dual-facing cameras, try reviewing footage of an unsafe driving incident. Coach your drivers on ways to correct their unsafe behaviors or look up ways to do so yourself if you're the one operating the big rig. The bottom line is that when your drivers aren't distracted, they drive safer. And when they drive safer, the cost of 18-wheeler insurance in cityname, state can be reduced.
Call NowFAQs About
Independence Insurance Agency
If you're looking for a commercial trucking insurance agency for your business, chances are you have some questions - and we've got answers. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most commonly asked questions we hear from truckers like you.
Why go with a "jack of all trades" when you can work with specialists who focus exclusively on transportation insurance? We have excellent relationships with major trucking insurance carriers and, as such, can provide the best assistance and reasonable rates.
Typically, companies will look at claims that date back three years or less.
We proudly work with more than 20 carriers to provide our clients with the most advantageous options at competitive prices, catering to the needs of owner-operators and big fleets alike.
Permit filings are typically done by insurance companies on the next business day. Federal (FMCSA) filings are completed online and updated immediately, while some states may take up to three weeks to process.
Independence Insurance Agency: Committed to the Trucking Industry
There's no question about it - you've got to protect your staff, your rig, and your trucking business with insurance. But choosing the right insurance partner isn't always easy. Thankfully, with Independence Insurance Agency by your side, you can rest easy knowing you're covered no matter where the road takes you. If you're in need of a commercial truck insurance agency in Burlington, NC that caters to truckers like you, pick up the phone and contact one of our transportation specialists today. That way, you can get back on the road with confidence tomorrow.
Latest News in Burlington, NC
Burlington trucking school closes doors without notice
Natasha Laguerrehttps://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/piedmont-triad/burlington-trucking-school-closes-doors-without-notice/
BURLINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) — A trucking school in Burlington left its students high and dry after it shut its doors.Students said it happened without warning, leaving some students without a CDL license or a refund.“Unbelievably frustrated when you’re getting nowhere,” truck driving student Shelly Critchley said.Critchley said her future is in limbo. She was hoping to earn her CDL and become a licensed truck driver.But two weeks ago, she showed up for class at Cross Country Truck Driving Train...
BURLINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) — A trucking school in Burlington left its students high and dry after it shut its doors.
Students said it happened without warning, leaving some students without a CDL license or a refund.
“Unbelievably frustrated when you’re getting nowhere,” truck driving student Shelly Critchley said.
Critchley said her future is in limbo. She was hoping to earn her CDL and become a licensed truck driver.
But two weeks ago, she showed up for class at Cross Country Truck Driving Training School, and signs alerting them the school was closed were posted.
“We’re tired. It was more or less like you see the signs on the doors, and nobody was saying anything … That’s our hard earned money or time,” Critchley said.
The owner of the facility found herself in a civil battle with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, which resulted in the department revoking the school’s certification to perform CDL testing.
Court documents show the NCDOT filed a petition to revoke the school’s certification to perform CDL testing after an incident in the summer of 2022.
According to the paperwork, a school employee gave a passing grade to a CDL applicant without actually giving them the test.
The documents go on to say that same school employee admitted to “doing a handful of fraudulent testing.”
Court documents show the owner of the school Pamela Day tried to fight for her certification.
In the court documents, Day’s lawyer argued that Day had a good “track record” of conducting CDL tests and even self-reported the employee and fired that employee immediately.
Ultimately, the court upheld the NCDOT’s decision, leaving the school without its certification.
Critchley says she shelled out more than $5,000 for the training and now has nothing to show for it.
“I hope that we’ll be able to test out somewhere for the couple of us that do need to test out. And I hope that the rest of my friends can go to another school and get their kids home. This is for other jobs. This is for what we want to do,” Critchley said.
FOX8 reached out to Day who said she has no comment.
City of Burlington announces new fire chief, who previously worked at Chapel Hill Fire Department
Carolyn Contehttps://www.wxii12.com/article/north-carolina-burlington-new-fire-chief-chapel-hill-fire-department/46806050
BURLINGTON, N.C. —A city in the Triad is getting a new fire chief.Matt Lawrence is stepping up from his role as deputy fire chief into fire chief of the city of Burlington, as of Feb. 15.Top StoriesGet the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereLawrence has been in the fi...
BURLINGTON, N.C. —
A city in the Triad is getting a new fire chief.
Matt Lawrence is stepping up from his role as deputy fire chief into fire chief of the city of Burlington, as of Feb. 15.
Top Stories
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here
Lawrence has been in the fire service for more than 26 years, according to the city. He's worked in roles that required both physical skills in fire prevention and administrative skills behind the scenes. For example, Burlington city representatives said he led projects on fire station construction and even led the Burlington Fire Department to get the NC Department of Insurance Fire Protection Rating of Class 1. That's the best rating possible.
Click the video player above to watch the latest headlines from WXII 12 News.
Though he's been Burlington's deputy fire chief since 2018, he's also worked as deputy fire chief for the town of Chapel Hill.
Lawrence is also involved in local nonprofits. He's currently president of the board for Alamance County Meals on Wheels.
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“We want to thank Chief Lawrence for his willingness to step up into this position. His commitment to the City and to the Fire Department is unmatched," City Manager Craig Honeycutt said in a news release.
“I am excited and grateful to be given the opportunity to serve as fire chief and help guide the future of this great department,” Lawrence said. “The men and women of this department are the best that I have seen. I am honored to stand with them and support them as we continue to provide the absolute best fire protection and emergency response services possible to the citizens of Burlington.”
TRENDING STORIES
2 women arrested for running prostitution operation out of a home in Alamance County
For the second time in two months, Burlington discharged toxic 1,4-Dioxane into Haw River, Pittsboro’s drinking water supply
Lisa Sorghttps://ncnewsline.com/briefs/for-the-second-time-in-two-months-burlington-discharged-toxic-14-dioxane-into-haw-river-pittsboros-drinking-water-supply/
The Pulse Update at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26.: The Town of Pittsboro released the first sampling results for 1,4-Dioxane:The EPA has set a health advisory goal of 0.35 ppb of 1,4-Dioxane in rivers and streams and 35 ppb in drinking water. The EPA has not yet established a legally enforceable maximum level for drinking water. The 35 ppb figure is not as protective as that for rivers and streams. That’s not a scientifi...
Update at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26.: The Town of Pittsboro released the first sampling results for 1,4-Dioxane:
The EPA has set a health advisory goal of 0.35 ppb of 1,4-Dioxane in rivers and streams and 35 ppb in drinking water. The EPA has not yet established a legally enforceable maximum level for drinking water. The 35 ppb figure is not as protective as that for rivers and streams. That’s not a scientific rationale, but a technical one: Because of the cost of upgraded treatment systems — in the tens of millions of dollars — most utilities could not achieve the more stringent goals.
“The Town is cautiously optimistic with these results, which indicate whether the “slug,” or concentrated area of 1,4 dioxane, has passed us and we had minimal uptake, or it is just now reaching us,” wrote town spokesman Colby Sawyer, in a press release. Additional test results are expected tomorrow. “Once we receive these results, we can determine if our 1,4 dioxane concentration is moving in a positive or negative direction.”
Update at 7:48 a.m.: Because of the uncertainty about the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in the town’s drinking water, the Town of Pittsboro and Chatham Marketplace, 480 Hillsboro St, are offering free reverse osmosis (RO) treated water to Pittsboro water customers and customers of Aqua NC who receive their water from the Town of Pittsboro. Customers may use Code 64261 to fill jugs and bottles for free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Customers should bring jugs and bottles from home, as only a limited supply is available for purchase at the store.
The Town of Pittsboro has ramped up its drinking water testing after the City of Burlington discharged a slug of toxic chemical 1,4-Dioxane — 1,300 times the EPA’s health advisory goal — into the Haw River. It is the second time Burlington has reported contaminating Pittsboro’s drinking water supply this year.
In a press release issued late Friday afternoon, Pittsboro spokesman Colby Sawyer said Burlington officials had notified the town at 1:30 p.m. that routine testing showed high levels of 1,4-Dioxane — 459 parts per billion — had been discharged from one of its wastewater treatment plants on Sept. 14. However, Burlington officials reportedly told their Pittsboro counterparts that the test results had only arrived that day — more than a week later.
1,4-Dioxane is a “probable” carcinogen, according to federal health authorities. The chemical is used in industrial processing and as a solvent.
The source of the 1,4-Dioxane was likely one of Burlington’s industrial customers that discharges its wastewater into the city sewer system. Since traditional treatment methods don’t remove 1,4-Dioxane, the chemical passed through Burlington’s wastewater treatment plant and entered the Haw.
Burlington is 30 miles upstream of Pittsboro.
Sawyer said Pittsboro officials still don’t know if the 1,4-Dioxane has already passed by the town or has yet to arrive. “When a release of this type occurs, most of the substance flows downstream together,” Sawyer said. “The dilution and speed of travel of this bulked substance, or slug, is based on how fast and at what volume the river is flowing.”
Because Pittsboro’s contracted testing labs don’t operate on the weekends, its results won’t be back until Monday or Tuesday. Without the data, “we are unsure of what impact this release has, is having, or will have on our water system.”
Pittsboro utilities staff are drawing only the minimum amount of water from the Haw to “keep the water system functional,” Sawyer said.
The town is encouraging its water customers to conserve water by reducing or eliminating non-essential uses, such as landscape irrigation, washing vehicles and filling swimming pools.
In July, Burlington’s Southside wastewater treatment plant released 1,4-Dioxane into the Haw, albeit at lower levels — 160 ppb, or 457 times the EPA goal for rivers and streams. It took about a week for the chemical to reach Pittsboro, which at the time, detected levels in drinking water at 11.9 ppb.
In 2020, the Haw River Assembly, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, and the City of Burlington reached a memorandum of agreement to identify sources of 1,4-Dioxane and to reduce its discharge. Burlington has not publicly announced which of its industrial customers is responsible for the high levels of 1,4-Dioxane discharges.
Chemicals from a Burlington company ended up in the Haw River, Pittsboro feels the impact
wfmynews2.comhttps://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/2-wants-to-know/city-of-burlington-apollo-chemical-14dioxane-pittsboro-water-haw-river-safe-drinking-water-town-1-4-dioxane-cdc-health-safety-waste-water/83-bad1216c-4410-418b-b2b0-70be423c8821
The City of Burlington believes Apollo Chemical in Burlington dumped 1,4-Dioxane into the Haw River. The Town of Pittsboro is feeling the effects.BURLINGTON, N.C. — The possible carcinogen, 1,4-Dioxane was recently dumped into the Haw River.The City of Burlington said the potentially cancer-causing chemical came from Apollo Chemical in Burlington.This is an issue for the Town of Pittsboro as they g...
The City of Burlington believes Apollo Chemical in Burlington dumped 1,4-Dioxane into the Haw River. The Town of Pittsboro is feeling the effects.
BURLINGTON, N.C. — The possible carcinogen, 1,4-Dioxane was recently dumped into the Haw River.
The City of Burlington said the potentially cancer-causing chemical came from Apollo Chemical in Burlington.
This is an issue for the Town of Pittsboro as they get their water directly from the Haw River.
Pittsboro's Public Information Officer Colby Sawyer said this is something they've dealt with before.
"We're not new to this. We've had multiple of these events over the years, and so we're pretty well-trained and prepared on how to handle these things," Sawyer said.
Although the chemicals are said to come from a chemical company in Burlington, the City of Burlington's water supply is fine, but with Pittsboro being downstream from Burlington, any possible traces of 1,4-Dioxane will eventually end up in Pittsboro and beyond.
"Our water sources are not connected to the Haw River. The South Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges into the Great Alamance Creek, just upstream of where it discharges to the Haw River. Anybody downstream of that potentially could be affected," City of Burlington's Water Resources Director Bob Patterson said.
According to the CDC, 1,4-Dioxane is a clear liquid that easily dissolves in water. It's used primarily as a solvent in the manufacturing of chemicals. The CDC says the chemical is possibly carcinogenic to humans, meaning it's capable of causing cancer.
Pittsboro has yet to get back results from the lab on whether or not 1,4-Dioxane is in their water. But out of caution, the town is using the bare minimum amount of water needed to keep their systems functioning and even giving out free water until they get the all-clear. The town, as well as the folks with the Haw River Assembly, like Haw Riverkeeper Emily Sutton, are encouraging people to push legislators for more regulation of 1,4-Dioxane in our water systems, so that the dumping of the chemical into waterways can be monitored closer, and those responsible can face more consequences.
"Right now, North Carolina is in this very contentious debate around whether or not our state can enact narrative standards, numeric standards, for 1,4-Dioxane on any of these discharge permits. 1,4-Dioxane isn’t an issue that we’re seeing federally as much as PFAS, so it hasn’t risen to the level of concern that we’re seeing," Sutton said.
Pittsburgh company looking to invest $10M to convert Burlington operation to make EV components
David Hillhttps://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2023/11/27/matthews-industries-pittsburgh-burlington-nc-ev.html
A diversified Pittsburgh company that has moved into energy storage, including for electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells, is hoping to convert and expand a Burlington printing and embossing equipment maker it acquired several years ago.Matthews International is seeking Burlington’s help on a N.C. building re-use grant for a proposed $10 million investment that would create about 25 jobs paying an average of $64,061, according to a city public notice. The notice is for a public hearing on the grant proposal at the city counci...
A diversified Pittsburgh company that has moved into energy storage, including for electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells, is hoping to convert and expand a Burlington printing and embossing equipment maker it acquired several years ago.
Matthews International is seeking Burlington’s help on a N.C. building re-use grant for a proposed $10 million investment that would create about 25 jobs paying an average of $64,061, according to a city public notice. The notice is for a public hearing on the grant proposal at the city council’s Dec. 5 meeting.
Under the North Carolina Commerce Department building re-use program, local governments typically seek the grants on behalf of companies with which they enter contracts.
Matthews, which traces its history to 1850, has three main business lines: Memorialization, consisting of bronze and granite memorials, caskets and cremation equipment; industrial energy storage systems, product identification and warehouse technology including fulfillment and tracking systems; and brand management including printing equipment and merchandising and consumer-product services.
Its energy storage business produces engineered industrial calendering, laminating, and coating equipment that is used to make lithium-ion batteries and components of fuel cells. The company also delivers products to several major vehicle producers and is actively pursuing opportunities with several other electric vehicle and tier-one battery manufacturers, it stated in its most recent annual report.
In early 2021, Matthews acquired a Canadian company, Terrella Energy Systems, that makes a graphite component of fuel cells.
In 2022, it added two Germany companies, Olbrich GmbH and R+S Automotive GmbH, in the battery and energy storage business, with Olbrich's main business in electrodes that make up lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.
That followed Matthews' announcement earlier in 2022 of a a joint development agreement with Canadian engineering firm Illuming Power to work toward an automated production line for certain fuel-cell components.
The company found that it can adapt some of its processes for other industries, including making lithium-ion batteries for EVs, CEO Joseph Bartolacci told the Pittsburgh Business Times. Those processes include rotary gravening and calendaring, where a material like metal is smoothed through rolling cylinders.
Matthews came to North Carolina in 2018 with the acquisition of Frost Converting Systems of Burlington, maker of equipment for printing and embossing for packaging for a variety of products, including the tobacco industry. It's the former Frost site that is the subject of the grant application.
Matthews hopes to convert the site to make parts for hydrogen fuel cells and electric-vehicle batteries, according to Burlington’s economic development director, Peter Bishop.
The company has indicated it will seek a local incentive grant of $100,000 from Burlington as well.
The site is at 2056 Willow Springs Lane in Burlington, where there is a building of about 34,000 square feet, according to Alamance County property records.