Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) acquired a 103,000-square-foot building in Nampa, Idaho, to establish a new manufacturing plant. The company plans to invest $150 million in the facility at 1406 N. Galleria Drive, formerly occupied by a robotics firm. SEL expects the site to open in early 2027 and initially create approximately 250 jobs.
What it means
The expansion adds a fourth major manufacturing location for SEL within two years, following projects in Pullman, Moscow, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Jesse Quintanilla, SEL vice president of property, noted that acquiring the existing structure allows the company to scale operations without constructing a new building from the ground up. The Nampa site is situated near SEL’s recently acquired Boise office.
Demand for SEL’s digital grid protection systems has increased as utilities upgrade infrastructure to support data centers and industrial customers. Starting wages for manufacturing roles at the Nampa plant are set at $26 per hour or higher, depending on shift schedules. This addition complements SEL’s existing workforce of 3,336 employees in Pullman, 1,269 in Lewiston, and 221 in Moscow. The company also operates a manufacturing facility in Charlotte, N.C.
SEL President Dave Whitehead stated that “customer demand for SEL products and solutions continues to grow around the world.” Founder and chairman Ed Schweitzer added that he is pleased to see continued investment in Idaho, describing it as a state that values free enterprise, innovation, and hard work. The Nampa project follows other recent expansions, including a $70 million manufacturing site in Moscow expected to employ 1,000 people by 2027, and a new 35,810-square-foot facility in Pullman scheduled for early 2027 with capacity for 300 employees.
Key facts
- $150 million investment in the Nampa facility
- 103,000-square-foot building at 1406 N. Galleria Drive, Nampa
- Approximately 250 initial jobs created at the Nampa site
- Starting wages of $26 per hour or more for manufacturing positions
- Facility scheduled to open in early 2027
- Fourth major manufacturing expansion for SEL in two years
- SEL employs 3,336 people in Pullman, 1,269 in Lewiston, and 221 in Moscow
- Company also operates manufacturing facilities in Charlotte, N.C.
Source: The Lewiston Tribune, reporting a Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories announcement