UPM Raflatac to Bring 51 Jobs to Henderson County

Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that UPM Raflatac, a leading global supplier of pressure sensitive labelstock, will expand in Henderson County.  The company plans to create 51 jobs and invest $11.5 million during the next three years in Henderson County.  The project was made possible in part by a $150,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
 
“Creating jobs is my top priority, and one of the best ways to do that is to help manufacturers who already call North Carolina home expand and hire more workers,” said Gov. Perdue.  “Companies like UPM Raflatac realize our top-rated business climate and excellent workforce make North Carolina the ideal location to grow.”
 
UPM Raflatac produces pressure sensitive labelstock that is designed to meet the needs of demanding applications in a vast array of end-uses.  A subsidiary of Finnish-based UPM, the company has operated in Henderson County since 1985 and currently employs 342 in North Carolina.  The grant will help the company expand its current production capabilities.
 
Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be $34,653 plus benefits.  The Henderson County average annual wage is $32,240.
 
“We are excited that we are able to continue to grow and create new jobs in Henderson County” said Phil Webb, Human Resources Director.  Webb indicated that this investment is the 4th major investment the company has made in Henderson County since 2000.  “We are proud of the team we’ve built here, and grateful for the support that we’ve received throughout the community, so in many respects, the decision to grow here was an easy one.”       
 
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.
 
North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate.  Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state works aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain its workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.
 
Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 55,000 jobs and $11 billion in investment have been created since 2001.  Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Henderson County, the Town of Fletcher, the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development and the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center.
 
For more information about UPM Raflatac, including job opportunities, go to www.upmraflatac.com.