It's a move that is a "perfect fit."

That is how Jeff Fiorini, general manager of the Golf Pride Division of Eaton Corp., characterized his company's decision to relocate its global headquarters to an area known as the "Home of American Golf."

"The fit for us as a brand and as a company could not be better," Fiorini said.

In January, Golf Pride moved into a 17,309-square-foot building at 440 Murray Hill Road in Southern Pines.

On Thursday, the community officially welcomed the company to Southern Pines and Moore County with a grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting. The business brings 39 employees to the area, including members of the company's leadership team, along with sales and marketing, engineering and administrative staff.

"We are very excited to open our new global headquarters in Southern Pines, and are proud to remain in North Carolina after 30 productive years in Laurinburg," Fiorini said. "We have a long history of being in North Carolina and given our overall position in the golf industry, this is the perfect fit for us."

The ceremony included Eaton representatives, officials from the Moore County Chamber of Commerce and Partners in Progress, golf club professionals, community leaders and other special guests. About 100 people attended the ceremony. Those in attendance got a look at an array of grips manufactured by the company and toured the new building.

"We are thrilled to have Golf Pride establish their headquarters in Southern Pines," said Roy Ogden, executive director of Moore County Partners in Progress. "This represents 39 good jobs as well as significant capital investment in our community."

Eaton had also hoped to relocate its research and development division to Southern Pines.

Last fall, the Southern Pines Town Council and the Moore County Commissioners each voted to offer the company $10,000 to attract it to relocate its corporate headquarters and research and development division to Southern Pines.

In November, the company decided against moving that division into a 12,000-square-foot building on Turner Street when an agreement could not be reached on the lease. That decision voided the incentives offered from both the town and county.

Fiorini said Thursday that the company was still exploring its options when it comes to finding a new home for the research and development division.

Eaton Corp.'s Golf Grip Division is the world's largest manufacturer of golf club grips, with manufacturing, sales and distribution facilities on five continents. According to the company's Web site, Golf Pride is recognized globally as the No. 1 choice in grips among tour players, amateur golfers, club manufacturers and club repairman.

Eaton has 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. Click here for more information about Golf Pride.

Contact Tom Embrey by e-mail at tembrey@thepilot.com.