CLINTON, TENN. — Custom profile extruder Omega Plastics Corp. is undertaking a big expansion of its Clinton headquarters plant.
Omega is investing $8.2 million to boost capacity, employment and floor space, President Stephen Redwine said in a telephone interview.
"We've added several new customers over the past few years," Redwine explained. The new business has more than offset some sales slippage during the recent recession.
Redwine said his firm is now installing three new extrusion lines to complement its 14 existing lines. Eventually the company will add seven more extrusion lines. Equipment suppliers include Milacron and NRM.
Omega expects to start constructing 85,000 square feet of more space, more than doubling the area of the Clinton facility, in autumn of 2013. Omega expects to add 80 more jobs at the site, essentially doubling its employment there.
"We're very diverse," Redwine said. The privately held company specializes in prototype and low-volume production. Its client base includes companies in medical, consumer packaging, and security and safety items. It extrudes a range of thermoplastics, among which PVC and polypropylene are key materials.
Redwine said the company was founded in 1978 in Powell, Tenn., and moved to Clinton in 1996.
"Despite the recent economic downturn, Omega Plastics has remained a strong and successful player in their industry," noted Clinton Mayor Scott Burton in an April 17 news release.
"Omega Plastics is tangible proof of the power of American manufacturing," stated Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank. "Their state-of-the-art facility, their commitment to customer relationships and their continued hard work has enabled them to expand."
Redwine said Omega's sales in 2012 grew to $18 million.
Redwine said in a news release that several government bodies are supporting the expansion, including municipal, state and utility agencies.
"All of these entities consistently demonstrate that they want business in the community and do everything possible to create a business friendly environment," Redwine explained.
Agencies he cited include the city of Clinton, Anderson County, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Clinton Utilities Board and the state of Tennessee.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development first announced the Omega expansion.