Catawba Manufacturers Invest for the Future
Published May 27, 2009
Technibilt/Cari-All manufactures 800,000 shopping carts a year at operations in Newton.
A diverse core of manufacturers is expanding in an area once dominated by textile and furniture makers, building on a foundation that already accounts for nearly one-third of the jobs in the region.
Hickory-based von Drehle Corp., which makes paper towels and similar products for industrial and commercial clients, spent $5 million on new equipment in 2008. The company added 60,000 square feet to its plant in Maiden in 2007 and installed automated towel-folding equipment that went on line in December 2008.
Fiber-Line Inc. is adding 60,000 square feet to its Hickory facility and expects to add about a dozen jobs to its staff of 34. The company converts synthetic fibers for the fiberoptic, utility and composite materials markets. The $4.5 million project, the second expansion since Fiber-Line set up shop in 2002, broke ground in December 2008.
“This is a very good location,” says Kevin Sennett, Fiber-Line general manager, who notes the region’s quality, dedicated employee base.
In upgrading equipment, Catawba County operations also are going green. Technibilt/Cari-All, which makes shopping carts in Newton, spent $3 million to create an industry first, a step that adds a protective coating that protects against rust. The production changes not only give the carts a longer life – the industry average is five to six years – but Technibilt “took a heavy green hand” in making them, says David Orfinik, executive vice president of sales and marketing. The company has reduced its annual water consumption by 2.5 million gallons, cut its treated wastewater by 2.1 million gallons and shrunk its solid waste production by 8.2 tons, he says. Technibilt makes 800,000 carts a year and hopes to grow to 1 million. “We have to be prepared from the manufacturing standpoint,” Orfinik says.
For von Drehle, major capital expenses have included a new de-inking process in nearby Cordova that removes chlorine, lead and other materials, which allows the company to use more grades of waste paper. The company also invested in new baling equipment that lets it take more scrap paper back to its mill for reprocessing.
“All of our paper is made from recycled fiber,” says Jon Thomson, von Drehle’s marketing manager. “We use no virgin fiber or trees.”
In Maiden, the company added a new high-speed bath tissue production line in addition to the folding equipment. Employment in Maiden has grown from 17 in 2002 to about 60 in early 2009, with more hiring expected.
“This is not a good time for a lot of people, but if you’re in the position and you have money, it is a good time for growth,” says Tim Bolick, Catawba County Economic Development Corp. administrative manager.
Story by Pamela Coyle
Photo by Ian Curcio
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