Pickett Sprouse Commercial Real Estate Facilitates Sale
Hillsborough, NC, January 12, 2026 – The sale of the former STIHL industrial facility at 315 Executive Court in Hillsborough’s Meadowlands Business Park officially closed Friday, January 9, marking a major milestone in CITEL’s relocation of its U.S. operations to Orange County. The 82,900-square-foot property was purchased by the global manufacturer as part of a high profile economic development project expected to bring significant investment and new jobs to the region. Pickett Sprouse Commercial Real Estate Brokers Emilee Collins, CCIM and Mark O’Neal, CCIM represented STIHL, the seller of the property, in the transaction.
CITEL specializes in surge protection solutions for industrial, renewable energy telecommunications, and critical infrastructure applications. The company’s acquisition of the facility finalizes months of planning and coordination tied to state and local economic incentive approvals. The site will serve as CITEL’s new North American headquarters by housing administration, manufacturing, engineering, and sales and marketing operations.
“This transaction was the result of months of coordination, confidentiality, and collaboration across multiple levels,” Collins said. “From the very beginning, we knew this was a unique opportunity to connect a globally respected manufacturer with a facility that truly fit their operational needs and long-term growth plans.”
Collins noted that the property’s existing layout made it particularly well suited for CITEL’s operations.
“The building offered an ideal combination of office, warehouse, and production space, along with eight loading docks, which made it a strong functional match,” she said. “Beyond the real estate itself, Hillsborough stood out for its connectivity, quality of life, workforce, and the strong support for workforce development through partners like Durham Technical Community College.”
Because of the confidential nature of the project discussions remained under strict confidentiality until formal incentives were approved by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
“Representing the seller in a transaction like this required patience and precision,” Collins said. “It was approximately a six-month process from initial interest to final approvals, and it reinforced how critical coordination between public and private partners is when attracting international investment to our region. Steve Brantley and the Orange County Economic Development team played an important role in positioning Orange County as a competitive and attractive place to do business, and the Orange County Board of Commissioners’ approval of the incentive package was a critical step that supports the county’s long-range economic growth and vitality.”
Pickett Sprouse Co-owner, Broker and REALTOR ® Bert Woodall praised Collins and the firm’s role in helping bring the transaction to completion.
“We are incredibly proud of Emilee and the role Pickett Sprouse played in this transaction,” Woodall said. “This was not just a real estate deal, but an important economic development win for Orange County. Emilee’s deep commitment to the community and her understanding of how real estate, workforce, and infrastructure intersect were instrumental in helping this come together.”
The property was formerly occupied by STIHL and became available following the company’s relocation to a larger facility in Mebane, which was designed to support its expanding distribution operations.
“For me, deals like this don’t end at the closing table,” Collins added. “I’m 100% invested in this community as Chair of The Orange County Economic Development Advisory Board and a member of the Durham Tech Foundation Board, which work well together to help attract vibrant businesses and ensure a constant workforce pipeline for companies entering our market.”