Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Alpla Inc., a global supplier of plastic packaging, is opening a new manufacturing facility in Raeford. The company plans to invest $7.2 million and create 40 jobs during the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $120,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“North Carolina’s strong manufacturing sector is vibrant and diverse,” Perdue said. “Our state’s forward-looking policies, skilled workforce and top business climate continue to attract growing companies of all sizes.”
Alpla Inc., based in Austria and with operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, provides bottles, caps and other plastic packaging products to clients globally. Alpla recently posted annual sales of more than $3.2 billion, with more than 10,000 employees worldwide and production facilities in 34 countries. The company, with its U.S. headquarters in Georgia, lists Unilever, Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble and Clorox among its clients.
Alpla plans to open a new manufacturing facility, its first in North Carolina, on the Raeford campus of one it major clients, Unilever Corp. The company will manufacture plastic bottles for shampoo, conditioners and body wash products. The 40 new jobs will pay an average annual wage of $32,450, not including benefits. That is higher than the Hoke County average annual wage of $22,724.
“The professionals from Hoke County and North Carolina have been exceptionally persuasive and friendly. They gave the most compelling case to locate our manufacturing facility in Raeford,” said Michael Koenig, director of finance for Alpla Inc. “We look forward to a long relationship with Raeford and the surrounding communities. This facility will allow Alpla to continue our partnership with Unilever and to continuing to provide Unilever with exceptional value.”
The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.
“In these tough economic times we must continue to invest in opportunities to create jobs in all parts of North Carolina, and we welcome Alpla to Hoke County,” said Sen. David Weinstein.
“North Carolina’s tremendous workforce continues to attract businesses to our state, and we are excited about the jobs coming to Hoke County,” said Rep. Garland Pierce.
North Carolina continues to have a top ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state will work aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain our workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.
Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 40,000 jobs and $7 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other project partners include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, Hoke County, City of Raeford, Sandhills Community College and the N.C. Rural Center.
For more information about Alpla Inc., including employment opportunities, visit: www.alpla.com/index.php?lang=en.