Water proofing tech firm relocating its HQ to Triangle from Utah

RALEIGH – Another big company is getting ready to call Research Triangle Park its home.

HZO – the industrial manufacturer whose waterproofing technology is used by brands like Motorola, Dell and Rakuten Kobo – has announced plans to relocate its headquarters from Salt Lake City, Utah to the Triangle by August this year.

HZO

The result: ten times more U.S. based manufacturing space, four times more research and development space, and three times more lab space, the company said.

“By 2020, there will be over 30 billion connected devices that require protection from the elements and everyday life,” said HZO’s Simone Maraini said in a statement.

“For almost a decade, HZO has protected everything from consumer electronics to mission-critical devices, at a pace and scale that has earned it the trust of major household brands and industrial giants.”

HZO’s global operations already include 12 factories and more than 2000 employees.

In an interview with the Triangle Business Journal, Maraini predicted some 500 jobs will be created at the new headquarters.

Among the reasons for the move, the company cited the ability to access the Triangle’s pool of talent from local universities – including Duke, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University and Wake Forest.

It also noted the region’s “coastal advantage,” putting HZO in a prime location to better serve its global customers and extend its reach into growing markets such as automotive, internet of things and medical devices.

“Our new facilities in Research Triangle Park will help ensure we continue to deliver unparalleled service and support to our customers,” said Maraini.