Charlotte-based nonwovens producer Polymer Group Inc. (PGI) plans to invest at least $65 million to expand its Waynesboro, Va., manufacturing plant, with the expectation of adding 41 jobs to its workforce. As part of the investment, the company will purchase high-technology equipment that will enable it to establish a new, state-of-the-art spunmelt manufacturing line with proprietary value-add capabilities. PGI will add 90,000 square feet to the existing 200,000-square-foot facility to make room for the new line, which will allow the company to increase production of spunbond products for the hygiene, medical and select industrial and consumer wipes markets as well as expand its spunbond product offerings for the hygiene and select industrial markets.

"This expansion will result in a significant capital investment and create many new, high paying jobs in the Shenandoah Valley," said Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. "Hopefully, this announcement will be the first of many more to come as we work to get our economy moving again and create the jobs we need to secure a more prosperous economic future for the people of Virginia."

PGI chose the Waynesboro facility over its Mooresville, N.C., plant for the planned expansion. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Waynesboro and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to help secure the project for the state. Incentives include: a $750,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund and a $750,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership Program; plus 15 acres of gifted land, a $1.75 million property tax rebate program, and a $550,000 site improvement grant from the City of Waynesboro.

 "This planned expansion in product capability and capacity is part of PGI's ongoing strategy to provide superior solutions to the marketplace and meet our customers' needs," said Veronica "Ronee" Hagen, CEO, PGI. "The efforts of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and local Waynesboro officials to address and meet our unique needs through their combined incentive package have allowed us to make this planned expansion possible in Waynesboro."

Construction will begin in the second quarter of 2010, with production commencing in the second half of 2011. All new employees will be hired and in place by the second quarter of 2011, according to Clifford Bridges, senior director of corporate communications, PGI. 

April 6, 2010