Smart Wires Celebrates Opening of New Global Headquarters in North Carolina

Durham County Board of Commissioners Chair Brenda Howerton and other members of the Board recently toured the facility with Smart Wires CEO Peter Wells to mark the grand opening.

The global power technology company announced its decision to move its headquarters to North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park in July 2021. The relocation follows significant company and market growth and strengthens Smart Wires’ U.S. presence.

“I’m excited to welcome the new Smart Wires headquarters to North Carolina and the Research Triangle Park,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “With our skilled workforce, strong business climate and commitment to clean energy, companies like this have the tools they need to succeed in North Carolina.”

Since announcing its intention to add 250 personnel to its U.S. operations over the next five years, Smart Wires welcomed nearly 40 new employees to the Durham headquarters. That is in addition to a number of employees who already worked in the area remotely or moved to the area after the new location was announced. Smart Wires has a growing global workforce of about 200 professionals spread across four continents — North America, Europe, Australia and South America.

“We have experienced rapid growth recently, and we expect that trend to continue. Now we are poised to help more electric utilities around the world evolve their grids,” said Smart Wires CEO Peter Wells. “North Carolina is a strong hub for smart grid businesses, and the area provides significant access to exceptional talent. This location offers us the support we need to help our global customers, and we are excited to be a part of this innovative, well-established business community.”

Smart Wires plans to invest $21.5 million over five years on the new facility. According to North Carolina Gov. Cooper’s office, the new headquarters is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $3.07 billion. 

The company’s headquarters was previously located in Union City, California. Research Triangle Park is the largest research park in North America and remains one of the most successful science parks across the globe.

The Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster (RTCC), an initiative of business, government, academic and nonprofit leaders working to accelerate the region’s cleantech economy, awarded Smart Wires with the 2021 Cleantech Innovation Award for Cleantech Impact: Economic Development. The award recognizes a cleantech organization that has accelerated economic growth in the region or state.