LEWISTOWN, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today celebrated the grand opening of VACOM Montana in Lewistown, the new U.S. headquarters for the leading European supplier of vacuum technology for the semiconductor industry.
“It was just over a year and a half ago, in December of 2023, that we stood together and announced the plans for this facility,” Gov. Gianforte said. “That day, we celebrated a bold investment and a big commitment from a global company that saw something special in Central Montana. Today, we open the doors on VACOM’s new U.S. headquarters.”
Founded in 1992 in Germany, VACOM is an owner-managed family business focused on continuous innovation and sustainability, and currently employs around 400 employees.
In December 2023, the governor welcomed VACOM to Montana after the German manufacturing company announced it will establish its United States headquarters in Lewistown.
VACOM plans an estimated $90 million investment by 2030 and expects to create up to 500 good-paying Montana jobs that support the production of vacuum mechanics, electrical feedthroughs, vacuum measurement technology, vacuum optics, and high-purity parts cleaning technology. The new facility represents an initial $10 million investment and is expected to create up to 50 high-tech Montana jobs by 2027.
Joining VACOM CEO Jens Bergner, state and local officials, and community members, the governor helped cut the ribbon on the recently opened Lewistown facility that completed its first production order this week.
Governor Gianforte emphasized that the VACOM investment reflects Montana’s broader economic momentum and his focus on recruiting more job-creating businesses to Montana.
“When companies choose Montana, they’re choosing more than just a place on a map, they’re choosing a state and a pro-business environment that supports job creators and the hardworking Montanans they employ,” Gov. Gianforte said.
This year, the governor delivered the largest income tax cut in state history and continued historic progress to cut red tape and reform burdensome regulations. Thanks to the governor’s pro-jobs, pro-family policies, Montana is ranked among the top 5 states for low unemployment, more Montanans are working than ever before, and the state was one of two states in the nation where wage growth outpaced inflation in the last four years.