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Breaking: Audemars Piguet Announces New US Service Center

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Raleigh Iron Works rendering. Photo credit Jamestown LP.
Luxury watch maker Audemars Piguet has announced a new North American service center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The brand plans to spend $22 million on the new facility and it will create 105 new jobs in the state's capital. The service center will be located in Raleigh Iron Works, a new mixed-use development in downtown Raleigh.

Watchmakers will be able to enjoy a variety of neighboring businesses, including a brewery, restaurants and a gym. There is also a slide from the top of a staircase. Further afield, Raleigh is part of the "research triangle" region consisting of three world-renowed universities: North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Wake County Economic Development offered a quote from outgoing Audemars Piguet CEO François-Henry Bennahmias regarding the new service center: "'When our employees visited Raleigh and the Triangle area, they said it felt like home. Quality of life, schools, healthcare, culture, and safe communities were the major considerations for our teams. We are excited to move to the dynamic City of Raleigh and look forward to settling into the area,' said Francois-Henry Bennahmias, Chief Executive Officer of Audemars Piguet. 'This represents an important step in the development of our American Service Center, which is key to our future business.'" It remains to be seen if this new service center will supplement AP's existing service center in Florida or whether it will replace the existing location.
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