Johnston County Manufacturer Announces Expansion, 160 New Jobs

AdvanceTEC Expanding Johnston County Operations, Adding 160 Jobs In $7.5 Million Investment

CLAYTON, N.C. — AdvanceTEC is investing $7.5 million to expand its Johnston County manufacturing campus, a project expected to create 160 new jobs and nearly double the company’s local workforce.

Company officials joined state, county and local leaders July 7 to break ground on the expansion at AdvanceTEC’s facility along U.S. Highway 70 Business between Clayton and Smithfield.

The project comes less than a year after AdvanceTEC became part of Equans, a France-based engineering and services company with operations in 20 countries. The expansion will also establish operations for Equans’ sister company, Pierre Guerin, a French manufacturer of high-tech stainless steel process equipment used by the life sciences, cosmetics, food and beverage industries.

When complete, the expansion will increase AdvanceTEC’s workforce from 168 employees to approximately 328. The new positions will pay an average annual salary of about $90,000.

The company currently operates a 98,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on a 12-acre site. The expansion will add more than 32,000 square feet of production space.

“This is a very special moment for our company,” said Philippe Pierre, CEO of Pierre Guerin. “This ceremony marks the return of our company to the United States and a new chapter within the Equans family.”

AdvanceTEC, founded in Richmond, Virginia, specializes in the design, prefabrication and modular construction of cleanrooms used in pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing. The company opened its Johnston County operation in 2021 and was acquired by Equans in September 2025.

Founder and CEO John Burton said the acquisition has accelerated the company’s growth.

“We’ve been extremely fortunate since being here, landing several large projects, and we’ve seen significant growth,” Burton said. “We have a backlog like we’ve never seen.”

Burton said becoming part of Equans has expanded the company’s capabilities and strengthened its supply chain, allowing it to better serve pharmaceutical manufacturers across the United States.

“I’m so proud that we can bring Pierre Guerin into this team,” he said.

Construction is being handled by Goldsboro-based Jackson Builders. Officials expect the expansion to be completed next summer, allowing Pierre Guerin to begin work on a recently awarded $26 million manufacturing order.

“We have much to do to build our organization,” Pierre said. “We are starting from scratch, but I’m confident with the help of everyone, we will succeed.”

AdvanceTEC and Pierre Guerin plan to work with Johnston Community College to provide customized workforce training through a state-supported program designed to prepare employees for the new manufacturing jobs.

Johnston County leaders said the investment reflects the county’s continued growth as a destination for advanced manufacturing and life sciences companies.

“In Johnston County, we’ve known for many years this is a great place to be,” Johnston County Board of Commissioners Chairman Patrick Harris said during the groundbreaking ceremony. “But when companies from around the world also think it’s a great place to be, we welcome you and are thankful you’re here.”

The project also strengthens Johnston County’s growing international business presence. Equans joins other major foreign-owned life sciences companies with operations in Clayton, including Danish pharmaceutical manufacturer Novo Nordisk and Spanish biopharmaceutical company Grifols.

Chris Johnson, director of the Johnston County Economic Development Office, said the expansion demonstrates continued confidence in the county’s workforce and business climate.

“It’s exciting to see continued investment dollars flow in from Europe,” Johnson said.

He notes the symbolism of French business interests landing in the County only days after 250th anniversary celebrations of U.S. independence, an historical turning point cemented militarily through French support. “It’s great to see Johnston County being able to build visible and valuable new business relationships based on this rich history,” Johnson says.

Officials say the expansion will also support the region’s growing biotechnology industry by increasing local manufacturing capacity for cleanroom systems and specialized stainless steel processing equipment used by pharmaceutical companies.