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22:33 GMT
WHASHINGTON, March 26 (KUNA) -- Schneider Electric, a multinational leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced plans on Wednesday to invest more than USD 700 million to boost American energy infrastructure and AI through 2027.
Hailing the announcement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump is "truly turning America back into a manufacturing superpower."
"Yesterday President Trump marked National Medal of Honor Day by meeting with 21 of our nation's bravest heroes and incredible patriots who have been awarded the highest military honor," she noted at a press briefing.
The company's investments support the country's focus on bolstering the nation's energy infrastructure to power AI growth, boost domestic manufacturing, and strengthen energy security.
The announcement comes as rising regional demand grows across data centers, utilities, manufacturing, and energy infrastructure segments.
The investment is the largest planned single capital expenditure commitment by Schneider Electric in its' 135+ year history in the US.
It includes manufacturing expansions and job growth, reflecting the company's robust customer demand for solutions to increase energy efficiency, scale industrial automation, and deliver a more reliable grid.
Coupled with previous investments in 2023 and 2024 to strengthen its North American supply chain, Schneider Electric's latest US planned investment will surpass USD one billion so far this decade, Leavitt noted.
"This new planned investment is expected to create over 1,000 new jobs and help Schneider Electric continue to play a leading role in shaping a more innovative, affordable, and energy-efficient future in the US.
"As part of its talent acquisition plan, the company intends to reinforce its culture of service by hiring more veterans and retiring US service members.
"Newly created roles will include next-generation manufacturing professionals, engineers, developers, and technical analysts," she added.
On his part, Aamir Paul, President of North America Operations for Schneider Electric, said, "We stand at an inflection point for the technology and industrial sectors in the U.S., driven by incredible AI growth and unprecedented energy demand."
"To lead the transformation ahead, we must be agile and act now to advance ambitious digitalization and efficiency goals to make an impact for generations to come," he noted.
"Today's announcement is another milestone in our responsible investment strategy at Schneider Electric, underscoring our steadfast commitment to US manufacturing, our unwavering belief that jobs and technological innovation will thrive together, and making a critical impact for our customers across the growing energy and automation sectors in the US," he went on.
"Schneider Electric's significant investment is a clear sign that manufacturing in America is moving forward-driving economic growth, innovation and job creation across the country," said National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons.
"By expanding their operations with a focus on energy security, automation and AI, Schneider Electric is not only strengthening America's competitiveness but also creating new opportunities and powering our nation's future," he pointed out.
"America's electrical system will face unprecedented rising energy demand in the coming decade driven by data centers and AI," Timmons added.
"Schneider Electric's historic investment of over USD 700 million across its domestic operations over the next two years is indicative of the critical role electrical manufacturers play in meeting this new demand and powering an electric future," said National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) President and CEO Debra Phillips.
"NEMA congratulates Schneider Electric on this investment in U.S. innovation, economic growth and good-paying American jobs.
"We look forward to working together to expand domestic manufacturing, deliver a world-class grid, and meet the electricity demands of the modern world," Phillips added.
On Monday, Hyundai announced a USD 20 billion investment in the United States, including USD 5.8 billion for a new steel plant in Louisiana, which will create nearly 1,500 high paying jobs. (end)
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