Virginia manufacturing plans
Condair plans a $57.2 million evaporative-cooling equipment operation in Chesterfield County, near Richmond in the United States. The 400,000-square-foot project involves an existing building and 180 planned jobs. Operations are scheduled for early 2025; evaporative technologies production would transfer from Center, Texas, by 2026.
The Switzerland-based manufacturer wants to serve data-center customers more closely, alongside its Racine, Wisconsin, and Ottawa, Canada, sites. Initial output would cover evaporative cooling products, with other equipment possible later. Condair's expansion includes support through Virginia's Talent Accelerator workforce program. The project timetable remained prospective on Jun 28, 2024. Manufacturing Dive
Evaporation and air handling
Evaporative humidification passes air across a wetted medium. Water evaporates into the airflow, raising its moisture content while lowering its temperature. Direct systems apply this treatment to incoming air. Indirect arrangements instead humidify and cool an exhaust stream, then use a heat exchanger to cool incoming air without transferring the additional moisture. The choice depends on the building's environmental requirements and outside-air conditions. Condair's technical guide
Water recirculation also requires mineral management. Evaporation leaves calcium and magnesium behind, increasing their concentration in the remaining water. Deposits on the medium can restrict airflow and impair cooling performance. Conductivity monitoring can trigger drainage and replacement with fresh water to control that concentration. Condair describes a balance between water consumption and equipment performance, supported by water-quality testing. Its technical guidance covers the operating principles of cooling and humidification; these descriptions do not establish the output, installed machinery or measured efficiency of the planned Virginia operation.
Workforce preparation
Virginia's Talent Accelerator framework combines recruitment with training tailored to an employer's processes, equipment and working culture. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership works with the Virginia Community College System and other higher-education institutions. Its November 2019 program design distinguishes immediate facility startup and expansion support from the community colleges' longer-term education and credential pathways. Eligible companies receive the customized services without charge as a job-creation incentive.
The framework separates several areas of workforce development, allowing training to address both individual production tasks and the wider organization:
- Recruitment support for matching applicants with jobs and workplace requirements.
- Foundational and task-specific instruction adapted to the facility and its equipment.
- Advanced manufacturing skills, including automation, alongside organizational development and operational improvement.
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