Zilmet Opens First U.S. Manufacturing Facility

Sabina Zella, Ricardo Benettolo, Ms Benettolo, Zilmet UK CEO Stuart Gizzi and George Knowles

Zilmet, a global leader in expansion vessels, pressure tanks, and heat exchangers, has officially opened its first US manufacturing facility in Andrews, Georgetown County, South Carolina. The $32.7 million investment marks a significant milestone in the company’s international journey, bringing European engineering excellence directly to the heart of the American manufacturing landscape.

The new 150,000-square-foot facility is expected to create approximately 50 skilled manufacturing jobs and will produce expansion tanks and heat exchangers specifically for the North American market. Production is scheduled to begin later this year.

Founded in Italy in 1955 by visionary entrepreneur Ugo Benettolo, Zilmet has grown from a small iron workshop into a global manufacturing powerhouse, exporting to over 100 countries. Still proudly family-owned, the business is now led by Ugo’s son, Paolo Benettolo, with third-generation leader Riccardo Benettolo playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s expansion into the United States.

“This is more than a new factory - it’s the start of a new chapter,” said Paolo Benettolo, CEO of Zilmet. “By investing in local manufacturing, we’re bringing our values of craftsmanship, innovation, and quality closer to our North American customers - while supporting global growth with greater agility.”

The South Carolina facility has been designed in close collaboration with American engineers to deliver Italian precision through a US-based operational framework. This transatlantic blend of expertise will not only reduce lead times and increase flexibility for customers across the United States and Canada but also free up capacity at Zilmet’s Italian headquarters to meet rising global demand.

Riccardo Benettolo, who has overseen the development of the new site, added: “Zilmet was born in a part of Italy known for legendary engineering - the same region that gave the world Ferrari and Ducati. With this new facility, we’re combining that heritage with the strength and skill of the American workforce. It’s a powerful combination, and we’re excited to grow together.”

Zilmet’s expansion into Georgetown County was made possible through the support of the South Carolina Coordinating Council for Economic Development, which awarded a $500,000 Set-Aside grant for site development and approved job development credits. Workforce recruitment and training have been supported by readySC, which played a crucial role in Zilmet’s decision to select South Carolina.

Zilmet’s presence in South Carolina is rooted in long-term commitment, not just to production, but to partnership. The company’s investment reflects a shared belief in technical excellence, mutual respect, and the power of manufacturing as a force for community development and global collaboration.

Zilmet UK’s CEO Stuart Gizzi attended the opening. He said: “This is an important and strategic milestone for Zilmet. It’s the world’s favourite pressure vessel brand because the products are so well designed, engineered and built, but there’s no getting away from the nature of the products that can be anything from the size of a baseball, to the size of a quarterback - you’re shipping large volumes of air.

“Local manufacturing has got to be the sensible solution, so long as the quality remains the same. That’s what’s happening here in South Carolina, a skilled workforce in a state of the art facility making Zilmet vessels to the usual world-class standard. From the beginning, Zilmet has been a family business built on trust and innovation,” added Gizzi “This facility reflects those values; and our confidence in what we can build together.”

For more information on Zilmet, visit: https://www.zilmet.co.uk/