Mako expanding in Vance County, creating 153 jobs

Mako Medical Laboratories, which has its headquarters in Raleigh, is expanding into Vance County.

The company plans to hire 153 people and invest $15.395 million over five years in a testing facility with warehouse space in Henderson.

Mako develops and provides diagnostic lab tests for blood, urine, genes and allergies. It currently has 169 employees in North Carolina. The Henderson facility will be its main distribution point for supplies needed in 10 other states.

The 153 new jobs will be full- and part-time positions, said president and founder Chad Price. Price said Mako hires a lot of people in the National Guard as well as military veterans who are semi-retired and want a part-time option.

Only a handful of jobs will actually be in the laboratory, said Price. The vast majority will support the company’s laboratory work: logistical personnel, drivers, warehouse workers, couriers, administrators and finance personnel. These jobs will pay an average annual salary of $51,987, higher than the Vance County average annual wage of $32,768.

Mako will receive a $3.16 million Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) over a 12-year period if its meets its hiring and investment goals.

Mako is planning to partner with the community college system in Vance to help fill its new positions. Price plans for the community colleges to create a curriculum based upon Mako’s positions so that interested students can graduate already partially trained. Price says that Mako also plans to reach out to the military veterans in the community.

This story was originally published December 4, 2017 at 8:16 AM with the headline "Mako expanding in Vance County, creating 153 jobs."