Hilti Moving Corporate Headquarters From Tulsa To Dallas-Fort Worth

Hilti North America has announced that its Tulsa-based North America Corporate Headquarters will be moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The move will be complete in June of 2015, a news release states.

Hilti manufactures tools and fastening systems for construction professionals. They have maintained a presence in Tulsa since 1979.

The company cited a broader base of customers and workers available in the metroplex as its motivation for the move. The 250 workers affected by the move will be offered relocation packages, the release states.

“Moving the Corporate Headquarters to the Dallas Metroplex puts us in the middle of a top five construction market and gives us greater access to a much larger talent pool as we expand our business over the next decade,” said Cary Evert, Hilti North America President and CEO.

"With $26 billion in construction in Dallas, relocating our test lab, and repair service and distribution operations within the Metroplex strengthens our ability to enhance our coverage in this marketplace and throughout Texas,” said Evert.

The announcement wasn't something that was expected according to Tulsa Chamber President, Mike Neal.

"Obviously this is something that's deeply saddening. Certainly it's something we did not see coming," he said. "They're trying to grow significantly and they want to be in some of the largest, fastest growing construction markets in America."

Hilti is moving its corporate headquarters to Plano. Its test lab, repair service and distribution centers will be located in other undecided DFW cities.

"I've heard they may be opening offices in other communities, as well, on the east and west coasts,” Neal said.

Evert released a statement, saying, "We have enjoyed a rich relationship with the Tulsa community."

That's why Hilti is keeping 425 jobs in Tulsa. The company's Tulsa headquarters will become its operations center for customer service, human resources, I.T. and more.

Neal said he hates this, but the Tulsa economy is doing just fine.

"The Tulsa region is on fire. The Tulsa region is doing exceptionally well. Almost every company you talk to, whether small, medium or large, is expanding right now,” he said.

Neal wants those 250 Hilti employees to stay in Tulsa and get a job with one of the Tulsa companies that are expanding.