Protocase and its subsidiary 45Drives have launched production at a new 12,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Wilmington, North Carolina, marking a significant acceleration of their U.S. expansion strategy. The facility, located at 4270 US Highway 421, will initially focus on sub-assembly for 45Drives and is expected to scale to full production within the next year.
The new manufacturing site represents a strategic move to enhance production capabilities and serve U.S. customers more efficiently. Initially, the facility will assemble components sourced from Protocase's headquarters in Nova Scotia, with plans to progressively localize production of circuit boards and metal components.
Starting in mid-March, the Wilmington facility will begin assembling large, complex 45Drives Storinator and Storinator Hybrid servers, with eventual plans to produce the new ultra-performance Stornado F16 server. This expansion underscores the companies' commitment to high-density, made-in-USA computing systems.
Doug Milburn, President of 45Drives, emphasized the strategic importance of the facility, stating that it represents the beginning of significant U.S. production capabilities. Steve Lilley, President of Protocase, highlighted the facility's role in serving U.S. customers more efficiently while continuing to innovate in precision manufacturing.
The facility is designed with a focus on employee density and operational efficiency, positioning the companies for continued growth and job creation in the Wilmington region. By bringing manufacturing closer to their customer base, Protocase and 45Drives aim to provide more responsive, customized solutions in the competitive tech manufacturing landscape.
