Vorbeck Materials Opens New Facility

On May 6, Vorbeck Materials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open a new 47,000-sq.-ft. advanced manufacturing plant in Grand Forks.

Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski, Vorbeck leaders, and U.S. Senator John Hoeven also spoke at the celebration.

An important turning point in Vorbeck's North Dakota expansion was the new plant. It will act as the company's center for materials for harsh environments, such as aerospace solutions, PFAS-free firefighting foams and advanced graphene applications. To serve the company's expanding defense and civilian product lines, the location has offices, production space and labs.

As activities grow, Vorbeck plans to quadruple its existing workforce of ten North Dakotans. The company's expansion has been aided by agreements with regional economic development organizations and funding from the North Dakota Development Fund to promote aerospace solutions.

Additionally, cooperative work with the University of North Dakota (UND) is anchored at the Grand Forks location. Vorbeck supported the Advanced Rocketry Club, sponsored a scholarship in the College of Engineering, hosted four UND interns in a summer cohort, and made several joint submissions for federal contracting opportunities with UND departments.

“We are proud to expand our roots in North Dakota,” said John Lettow, president and CEO of Vorbeck Materials. “The support we’ve received—from state programs to local partners—has given us the ability to scale, create jobs and deliver technologies that protect both our service members and civilian communities.”