Belgium’s stow opens first US factory in Georgia, targeting shorter lead times

Belgian storage systems manufacturer stow has inaugurated its first US manufacturing plant in Calhoun, Georgia, adding domestic production to its existing North American sales and service network. The company expects the facility to shorten delivery times and reduce its exposure to the costs and disruption associated with importing warehouse racking.

The 240,000-square-foot plant was formally opened on October 15, 2026, after beginning production in May, according to Roofing Contractor. It is stow’s eighth manufacturing facility worldwide and is already supplying projects across the United States.

Stow estimates its investment in the operation at $40 million to $50 million, excluding the building. The facility is expected to support approximately 200 jobs at full capacity, with 120 positions already filled. Recruitment continues across production, engineering, quality control and operations.

Local production, US specifications

The Calhoun operation manufactures punch and roll-formed teardrop racking systems engineered to US codes, including RMI 2023 standards. It uses fully automated production lines and robotic precision welding. Stow expects the plant to have capacity to process approximately 100 million pounds of steel annually by the end of 2026.

For US customers, the clearest intended benefit is speed. Stow says domestic production should bring lead times down to approximately six to nine weeks, compared with roughly 12 to 15 weeks for imported racking. Those are company expectations rather than reported delivery results.

The company also expects local manufacturing to reduce exposure to ocean freight disruptions, tariffs and currency fluctuations. The strategic shift is therefore more than an increase in production capacity: it gives stow a US supply base for US-engineered products, with delivery times becoming a more direct part of its competitive proposition.

Building on an existing commercial presence

The factory is stow’s first US manufacturing investment, not its first activity in the market. Its commercial hub in Romeoville, Illinois, already provides sales and service, offering conventional pallet racking, a semi-automated pallet shuttle system and automated warehouse systems from Movu Robotics, the group’s warehouse automation brand.

That existing network gives the Georgia operation a broader role within stow’s North American business. Domestic racking production sits alongside a commercial offering that extends from conventional storage equipment to warehouse automation, rather than functioning as a standalone market entry.

“This plant is not just a manufacturing facility; it is a statement of intent,” stow Group chief executive Jos De Vuyst said. “We are committed to the North American market for the long term.”

Further capacity under consideration

The opening follows Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s August 2025 announcement of stow’s planned manufacturing presence in Gordon County. State officials then described a $36 million investment and approximately 200 jobs. The later company estimate excludes the building; the report does not explain the difference between the investment figures.

The plant occupies an existing building along Highway 41 near Adairsville. Georgia officials initially highlighted Gordon County’s transport infrastructure and proximity to Southeast markets as factors supporting the project, although the operation is already serving customers nationally.

De Vuyst said Calhoun would not be stow’s last US plant, and the company is considering additional capacity in Georgia. No timetable or investment amount for a further expansion was disclosed. The immediate milestones are completing recruitment and reaching the steel-processing capacity targeted for the end of 2026.