Italian Manufacturer RUPES USA Expands to Northeast Ohio with $15 Million Investment

Team NEO’s emphasis on Foreign Direct Investment creates opportunities for companies like Rupes to expand in Northeast Ohio

When family-owned Italian manufacturer RUPES USA, Inc., began evaluating its next phase of U.S. growth, company leaders were weighing expansion at existing facilities in Texas and Colorado. Instead, the global leader in professional tools and dust extraction systems chose to plant a new flag in Northeast Ohio, marking both its first location in the state and a significant foreign direct investment (FDI) win for the region.

RUPES USA, headquartered outside of Milan, Italy, serves a range of industries including automotive, marine and boating, woodworking, and industrial manufacturing. With a vertically integrated model, engineering entire systems in-house, RUPES is recognized for its customizable solutions, as well as its focus on safety and ergonomics.

To meet growing demand, while strengthening its ability to serve customers across the eastern United States, RUPES USA committed to a $15 million investment in Solon, Ohio. The company is purchasing and retrofitting a 100,000-square-foot facility that will support manufacturing, distribution, and in-house training operations. The project includes the creation of 53 new jobs over five years, generating approximately $2.6 million in new annual payroll.

From Italy to Ohio: Building the Relationship

The path to Northeast Ohio began well before RUPES USA’s final site selection. As part of Team NEO’s international business development strategy, which prioritizes Europe as its top FDI market, the organization cultivates relationships with Italian companies exploring U.S. expansion. Through proactive outreach and ongoing engagement, Team NEO connected with RUPES at its headquarters in Italy, introducing the Northeast Ohio value proposition early in the company’s U.S. site selection process.

While Team NEO planted a seed and cultivated a relationship with RUPES USA, inSITE Advisory Group (the economic development arm of Northeast Ohio-based Welty Enterprises) helped speed the effort to bring the company to the region.

inSITE Advisory Group began working with RUPES USA to identify a potential site for U.S. growth. Once Solon emerged as a serious contender, Team NEO and other regional partners mobilized quickly to support inSITE in the effort to attract RUPES to the region. State and local stakeholders worked together to demonstrate the strength of the region’s advanced manufacturing workforce and business climate.

Team NEO supported the project with guidance on available incentives, helping secure a job creation tax credit and a JobsOhio economic development grant. The City of Solon, JobsOhio, and the Ohio Department of Development also played key roles in ensuring a seamless process.

Why Northeast Ohio?

For RUPES USA, the new location decision ultimately came down to strategic growth, with access to a robust manufacturing workforce and proximity to key markets.

With existing facilities in Texas and Colorado, adding a Midwest location positions the company closer to East Coast customers and strengthens distribution capabilities nationwide. Equally important was access to Northeast Ohio’s deep bench of skilled manufacturing talent, which was a competitive differentiator for the region.

Beyond workforce and logistics, RUPES USA experienced firsthand the region’s coordinated approach to economic development. State, regional, and local partners worked cohesively and efficiently, reinforcing confidence that Northeast Ohio could support the company’s long-term growth.

Strengthening International Ties

RUPES USA’s expansion underscores Northeast Ohio’s growing reputation as a destination for international manufacturers.

Team NEO has helped companies from more than 42 countries establish operations in Northeast Ohio, serving as a single point of contact on a confidential, no-fee basis. As global companies seek to mitigate supply chain risks and navigate shifting trade dynamics, the region’s advanced manufacturing strength and coordinated support ecosystem create a compelling case for establishing business here.

There are currently 28 Italian-owned companies across the 14-county region, with manufacturing representing the largest industry segment (50%) among Italian companies operating here. In 2024 alone, Ohio imported $2.88 billion in goods from Italy, reflecting strong economic ties between the two markets.

RUPES USA’s Solon facility will add to Northeast Ohio’s growing base of foreign-owned companies. It is expected to be operational this year, bringing new jobs, new capabilities, and a new chapter for Italian investment to Northeast Ohio.