A major European air-movement manufacturer is strengthening its U.S. footprint.

German manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg is expanding its operations in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where it produces high-efficiency air-movement equipment for customers across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The expansion comes as efficient fans and motors become increasingly important across both conventional HVAC and high-growth markets.

Fans Are Becoming More Strategic

Air movement can appear like one of the simpler parts of an HVAC system.

It isn't.

Fans can account for significant building energy use, particularly in systems that operate continuously.

High-efficiency EC motor technology allows airflow to be modulated more precisely while reducing power consumption.

That matters in:

  • Air handlers
  • Refrigeration
  • Commercial HVAC
  • Industrial ventilation
  • Data centers

U.S. Manufacturing Reduces Supply-Chain Exposure

Manufacturing closer to customers can shorten lead times and reduce dependence on transatlantic supply chains.

That has become increasingly valuable as tariffs and trade disputes create more uncertainty around imported components.

For U.S. equipment manufacturers and contractors, domestic production can also improve access to specialized parts and technical support.

Data Centers Are Raising the Value of Airflow

Liquid cooling gets most of the attention in AI infrastructure.

But air movement remains critical in many facilities.

Servers, power electronics, mechanical rooms and hybrid cooling systems all still require large volumes of controlled airflow.

That is helping keep advanced fan technology strategically relevant even as cooling architectures evolve.

More Global HVAC Companies Are Localizing Production

Manufacturers are increasingly trying to build products closer to the markets where they are sold.

That can improve resilience while giving companies better access to U.S. growth.

Ziehl-Abegg's expansion is another example.

The HVAC supply chain is global — but increasingly, manufacturers want the equipment itself built closer to the American contractor.