TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A longtime Tulsa-based construction tools company has announced plans to relocate its headquarters to Texas.
Hilti North America, which manufactures and supplies tools for the construction industry, said Tuesday it will move its corporate headquarters to Plano, Texas, next year. It will maintain its operation center in Tulsa once the move is complete by June 2015, the Tulsa World reported.
The Tulsa facility will employ about 425 people after the relocation. About 250 jobs will move to the Dallas area.
Hilti North America president and CEO Cary Evert said the move will place the company in a top construction market and give it access to a much larger talent pool.
The North American headquarters last moved in 1979 to Tulsa from Stamford, Connecticut. Tulsa’s former mayor declared Aug. 7 “Hilti Day” in 2009.
Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, said that it is “undeniably saddening” that Hilti’s moving its headquarters.
“Like many companies, Hilti has benefited for decades from the skilled workforce and low operational costs that come with doing business in Tulsa, and this is clearly why the company has chosen to retain a large number of employees here,” Neal said. “As disappointing as today’s news is, we know our region has a bright future as we lean on our proven ability to compete with major metropolitan areas for the best jobs.” Hilti has benefited for decades from the skilled workforce and low operational costs that come with doing business in Tulsa, and this is clearly why the company has chosen to retain a large number of employees here,” Neal said. “As disappointing as today’s news is, we know our region has a bright future as we lean on our proven ability to compete with major metropolitan areas for the best jobs.”