Plastipak Packaging Inc. is investing $30 million to expand into the Southeast.
The Plymouth, Mich.-based blow molder selected McCalla, Ala., for a 280,000-square-foot facility, according to the Jefferson County Industrial Development Authority.
The bottle maker bought 40 acres and an existing, 100,000-square-foot building in a county-owned industrial complex, said Deborah McGill, executive director for the economic group.
Plastipak expects the plant to produce 500 million containers annually, increasing to 1 billion within a few years, McGill said in a Sept. 19 telephone interview. The company will start with 50 workers, with plans to double that in five years.
Plastipak officials did not return calls seeking comment.
According to a Sept. 19 story in The Birmingham (Ala.) News, Plastipak will produce bottles for Procter & Gamble Co. and PepsiCo Inc., two firms that have provided lucrative contracts in the past. The plant also will produce bottles for Abita Spring Water Co. Inc. and several makers of barbecue sauce, the story said.
Plastipak operates facilities in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Texas and South America.
According to its Web site, the firm produces more than 5 billion packages annually with total sales exceeding $800 million. Officials expect 2003 sales of $895 million.
Plastipak reported $715 million in 2001 blow molding sales.