Mercer Industrial Solutions celebrated the grand opening of its new Manufacturing Technology Testing Facility in Asheville with a day-long ceremony that drew more than 500 attendees from across North Carolina and the Southeast, including business executives, elected officials, educators, workforce development leaders, engineers, community members, and employees.

Located in Asheville Technology Park against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 150,000-square-foot facility represents a $125 million investment by the company and marks one of the largest private-sector advanced manufacturing projects in Western North Carolina.

The event began at 9:00 a.m. with a presentation of colors by a local veterans' honor guard and a performance of the National Anthem by students from Asheville's public schools, followed by welcoming remarks from company leadership and local officials. CEO Tom Mercer delivered the keynote address, describing the facility as a major step forward in strengthening American manufacturing competitiveness through innovation, automation, workforce training, and research.

Mercer said the new center will serve as a hub for advanced robotics testing, artificial intelligence integration, digital manufacturing, cybersecurity research, and workforce development programs, while creating more than 350 high-skilled jobs over the next five years. State and local leaders then highlighted the facility's expected economic impact on the region and praised the company's commitment to job creation and educational partnerships.

Guests toured the campus and viewed demonstrations of collaborative robots working alongside engineers, AI systems monitoring production efficiency in real time, digital twin simulations of manufacturing facilities, and industrial cybersecurity technologies designed to protect critical infrastructure. The facility's workforce training academy also featured hands-on exhibits where students and visitors could interact with advanced manufacturing equipment and learn about apprenticeship and certification programs.

During the ceremony, Mercer announced a $5 million investment in workforce development partnerships with regional colleges and technical schools, the creation of the Mercer Advanced Manufacturing Scholarship Program, and new apprenticeship opportunities for veterans and recent graduates.

At noon, Mercer joined the Governor of North Carolina, the Mayor of Asheville, community leaders, and employees for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, with blue and silver confetti marking the opening of the facility. The celebration continued through the afternoon with networking receptions, technology showcases, local food vendors, student STEM exhibitions, and live performances by Asheville musicians.