Lothar Burger, CEO, KNOLL America

Lothar Burger, CEO of KNOLL America, spoke with Invest: about the company’s long-term commitment to Gaston County, the role of advanced manufacturing in regional growth, and the need to strengthen the talent pipeline earlier. “What stands out about Gaston County is its diverse economic base and the accessibility of local leaders and decision-makers,” Burger added.

What made Gaston County the right fit for KNOLL America’s growth strategy?

KNOLL America grew out of a long-standing distributor relationship. When that distributor retired, KNOLL was the largest brand in their portfolio, which led to the establishment of KNOLL America in Michigan. At the time, we operated from a smaller leased facility, but as a family-owned company, we were looking for a more permanent investment. Owning both the land and the building reflects our long-term commitment. We wanted to establish a real presence, not simply operate from a temporary location.

While the Midwest has historically been a strong market for us and remains home to many of our customers, we recognized that a growing number of manufacturers were expanding into the Southeast. Having lived in the Charlotte area since 1996, while commuting throughout my career, I was already familiar with the region’s strengths. Charlotte consistently stood out for its infrastructure, accessibility, and international connectivity. As a subsidiary of a German company, direct access to Europe through Charlotte Douglas International Airport was particularly valuable.

The location also made sense from a business perspective. From the Charlotte region, we can reach approximately 80% of our customers and suppliers within a day. That level of accessibility was a major factor in our decision-making process. We were not looking to locate in the center of a major city, as manufacturing operations are often better suited to suburban industrial areas. Gaston County offered exactly what we needed. The county’s strong manufacturing heritage, combined with its transition from traditional textiles to advanced industries, created an environment that was both experienced and forward-looking.

Equally important was the business climate. We found local leaders and officials to be approachable, responsive, and genuinely interested in supporting growth. There was a clear understanding of what businesses need to succeed, along with a practical, business-friendly approach that avoided unnecessary bureaucracy.

Another advantage was the balance the region provides. Gaston County offers the benefits of being close to a major metropolitan area while maintaining the character and convenience of a suburban community. In many ways, it resembles the environment around KNOLL’s headquarters in Germany. Employees can enjoy access to cultural attractions, sports, and international travel, while also benefiting from a high quality of life and a strong sense of community.

When we looked at the complete picture, including the infrastructure, accessibility, workforce, business environment, climate, and close connection to both our customers and Europe, Gaston County emerged as the clear choice for KNOLL America’s future growth.

How is broader growth across North Carolina and the Southeast creating opportunities for companies like yours?

For us, diversification is essential. As a company, you never want to rely too heavily on a single industry or market segment. Focusing exclusively on one sector, whether automotive, aerospace, or any other industry, can create unnecessary risk. The continued growth and diversification across North Carolina and the Southeast provide stability not only for residents moving to the region but also for manufacturers like us.

I am encouraged by the fact that North Carolina, Gaston County, and the Greater Charlotte region continue to view manufacturing as a strategic asset. In my opinion, manufacturing remains the foundation of a strong economy. Without it, many of the supporting industries, including banking, accounting, insurance, logistics, and professional services, would not exist at the same scale. A healthy manufacturing sector benefits the entire business ecosystem.

Manufacturing also reflects a long-term commitment. Unlike some industries, manufacturers cannot simply move overnight. Investments in equipment, facilities, infrastructure, and people are substantial. When KNOLL America chose Gaston County, we were not making a decision for the next few years. We were making a commitment to the region for the next 30 to 40 years.

What trends are shaping the manufacturing climate in Gaston County and the Southeast?

One of the biggest changes in recent years is the pace of business. Whether driven by COVID, technology, or broader market uncertainty, companies are moving faster and becoming more digital in their operations. While there is tremendous value in those advancements, I sometimes miss the traditional face-to-face business relationships and handshake agreements that have long been part of manufacturing. Even so, digitalization has brought significant benefits in terms of efficiency and responsiveness.

What stands out about Gaston County is its diverse economic base and the accessibility of local leaders and decision-makers. They are engaged, approachable, and willing to listen. Through manufacturing roundtables, community events, and partnerships with the community college, businesses have opportunities to discuss challenges, identify emerging trends, and help shape workforce development programs.

That collaboration is especially important as manufacturing evolves. Areas such as mechatronics, automation, and digital technologies are creating demand for new skills and training programs. Gaston College has been proactive in responding to those needs while also maintaining strong programs in healthcare and other growing fields.

The willingness to remain open-minded and adaptable is critical. Some trends may prove temporary, while others could become major drivers of future investment and growth. Gaston County’s business-friendly environment and collaborative approach position the region well to capitalize on those opportunities.

How is technology changing manufacturing and your operations?

Technology is playing a significant role in making manufacturing more efficient, reliable, and connected. At KNOLL, our products support machine tools by improving performance, increasing uptime, and providing valuable operational information to users.

For example, our systems can communicate directly with machine controls and automation platforms, allowing operators to receive advance notifications when maintenance or consumable replacements are needed. Rather than waiting for a machine to stop production because a filter medium has been depleted, operators can address the issue proactively while the machine continues running.

We are also seeing continued growth in lights-out manufacturing and automated production environments. In many cases, a single employee may oversee multiple machines or an entire manufacturing cell. To support those operations, equipment must function reliably without constant supervision. Automated systems can monitor processes, alert operators to potential issues, and even coordinate with automated guided vehicles to remove full chip containers and replace them with empty ones.

The importance of automation becomes even clearer when considering the investment involved. A fully automated manufacturing cell can represent a capital investment of $1 million to $2 million or more. Preventing unplanned downtime is critical to maximizing productivity and return on investment.

Digitalization extends beyond automation. Documentation, maintenance records, and operational data are increasingly stored and accessed through machine controllers and connected platforms. Artificial intelligence is also beginning to play a larger role across the industry.

While AI is still evolving and should be implemented thoughtfully, it offers significant potential. It can help answer initial troubleshooting questions, assist customers in identifying the right solution, and support workflows throughout the sales, installation, and commissioning process. In a market where skilled labor remains in short supply, AI can also help relieve administrative burdens and provide faster access to information.

I also believe human expertise must remain at the center of decision-making. Technology should enhance the capabilities of people, not replace them. When used responsibly, AI and other advanced technologies can be powerful tools for improving productivity and supporting business growth.

What are your top priorities for KNOLL America?

Now that we have been operating from our new facility for over a year, one of our primary priorities is continued investment in our employees. Ongoing education, training, and workforce development are critical to ensuring long-term success.

We also plan to expand our local supplier network and strengthen collaboration within the broader KNOLL Group to support global manufacturing initiatives. Today, we operate using a hybrid model. While we are not yet producing complete systems entirely in North America, we are steadily increasing local capabilities. Some components are sourced from our headquarters or other KNOLL locations, while others are sourced locally, with final assembly occurring here for many of the products most commonly used in North America.

This approach enables us to provide faster support and greater flexibility for our customers. We maintain a substantial inventory of replacement parts and consumables in Dallas, North Carolina, and our field service team is strategically positioned to respond quickly. That allows us to offer same-day or next-day shipping and minimize downtime for our customers.

Sustainability is another key focus area. As the costs of energy, coolant, and raw materials continue to rise, manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on resource efficiency and recycling. Many facilities still lose significant amounts of reusable coolant or oil through their chip disposal processes. Our systems help separate liquids from metal chips, allowing customers to recover and reuse valuable fluids while improving the value of recyclable materials.

We also support technologies that reduce waste volume and improve recycling efficiency, including chip briquetting systems that create cleaner, denser material streams for foundries and recyclers. Beyond recycling, advancements in energy-efficient motors, variable-speed drives, and optimized manufacturing processes are helping reduce overall energy consumption.

Ultimately, sustainability and productivity go hand in hand. We have a responsibility to be good stewards of both the environment and the communities where we operate. Manufacturing will always play an important role in economic growth, and it is our responsibility to ensure that growth remains efficient, responsible, and sustainable for future generations.