EETC continues expansion with move to new headquarters

The Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC) recently continued its expansion plans by purchasing its first-ever commercial property and converting it into its new headquarters.

Conveniently located in Kings Mountain, N.C., near Interstate 85 and Highway 74, the 3,100-square-foot facility features an 1,100-square-foot training center, which includes a classroom, conference room and kitchen; 1,000 square feet of office space; and 800 square feet of warehouse space. The headquarters will provide ample accommodations for current and future employees, allow for efficient production of instructional repair videos, host service schools, serve as a distribution center for donated products, and be utilized for additional purposes. The EETC was able to purchase the building and then completely gut, renovate, and refurnish it for $175,000 — without assuming any debt.

“This is another building block for the EETC,” said Erik Sides, executive director of the EETC, “to go along with our e-learning, hands-on training at GIE+EXPO and our annual conference, selling our curriculum and training aides to schools, and school accreditation and student certification.”

Prior to making the move into the new facility, the EETC had always been headquartered in the home of the executive director. However, toward the end of 2017, Sides and the board of directors started discussing the possibility of moving the headquarters to a permanent location to accommodate the EETC’s future growth.

At the end of May, the EETC hired Gabe Carson as an instructional designer to develop and maintain all of the EETC’s e-learning programs, which created an even greater sense of urgency to find a new home for the EETC. In early June, Sides stumbled upon a building to his liking. With a rich history dating back to 1960, including three additions, the building was initially used as a hosiery mill to make socks. Then, it was converted into a woodworking shop owned by a man who would renovate and then flip houses. The woodworker finally decided to retire and sell his shop, and the EETC was able to purchase it in late June. After making several significant renovations, the EETC moved into its new headquarters in the first week of August.

“I am thrilled to have this great facility that we can utilize to expand EETC programs,” added Sides, “and my wife is definitely happy to have her space back.”

Please note that the shipping address of the new headquarters is 344 Oak Grove Road, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. Standard mail can be sent to P.O. Box 1159, Kings Mountain, NC 28086.