Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Palziv North America, a global leader in the development and manufacturing of thermoplastic cross-linked polyethylene foam, will open a new North American headquarters and manufacturing facility in Franklin County. The company will invest $7.8 million and create 72 jobs in Louisburg. The announcement was made possible in part by a $250,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“North Carolina continues to attract manufacturing firms looking for the perfect location to invest and create new jobs,” Gov. Perdue said. “Our state’s trained workforce, strategic location and superb quality of life are key site selection factors for new and expanding companies.”
Palziv North America is wholly owned by Palziv LTD, headquartered in Israel. The company has manufacturing and distribution locations in Israel, Romania, Ohio and Canada. Palziv foam is used for packaging, insulation, toys, prosthetics and other customer applications.
Palziv will utilize a currently empty Louisburg building to create a new North American headquarters and U.S.-based foam manufacturing facility to better serve the company’s North American, South American and Canadian markets. Palziv will produce cross-linked foam blocks and rolls from polyethylene pellets for a variety of applications.
The project’s 72 new jobs will pay an average annual wage of $34,167, not including benefits, which is higher than the Franklin County average annual wage of $33,176.
“Palziv’s North American headquarters and manufacturing facility will attract university graduates in advanced sciences and a unique blend of experienced production labor associates,” said Gregory A. Brooker, Palziv North America president and CEO. “I am pleased with our decision to locate in Franklin County. The combination of regional and state programs will enhance Palziv’s global leadership position within the thermoplastic cross-linked foam industry.”
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.
“Our skilled and knowledge-based workforce continues to be attractive to globally-competitive companies, and we welcome these new jobs to Franklin County,” said Sen. Doug Berger.
“During these tough economic times, it’s critical to make the investments to create jobs in Franklin County and in North Carolina,” said Rep. Lucy Allen.
North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state continues to work aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain workers, 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, the N.C. Department of Revenue, N.C. Community Colleges, Franklin County and the City of Louisburg.
For more information on Palziv, go to: www.palziv.com and www.pxlcrosslinked.com. Those interested in company job opportunities should send their resumes to the Employment Security Commission office in Louisburg; by mail, Employment Security Commission, 90 Tanglewood Drive, Louisburg, NC 27549-2698; by fax, (919) 496-7611; or by e-mail,
ESC.jobs.louisburg@ncmail.net.