Plastipak Packaging Inc. is investing $9 million to expand a manufacturing facility in Louisiana, a move that will add 20 jobs.
The maker of rigid plastic containers is adding three PET product manufacturing lines at its Pineville, La., location, the Plymouth, Mich.-based company said.
Along with the 20 new direct jobs, officials estimate that 38 new indirect jobs will be created through the expansion, according to Louisiana Economic Development, a state agency.
Plastipak was founded in 1967 and has been in Pineville since 2003.
News of the Louisiana expansion comes as Plastipak also finalized the acquisition of Artenius PET Packaging Europe, or APPE.
APPE has been rebranded Plastipak Packaging, the company said July 1.
“The acquisition will significantly strengthen Plastipak's position in Europe and provide a solid platform for further growth into surrounding regions,” Plastipak Packaging CEO William Young said in a statement. “The combination of the strong leadership teams of both companies, positions Plastipak to be the global leader in rigid packaging.”
Plastipak Packaging blow molds containers for the food, beverage, and consumer products industries. The company is No. 3 in the Plastics News ranking of North American blow molders, with estimated relevant sales of $1.84 billion.
The company now has more than 37 sites and more than 5,000 workers in the United States, South America and Europe.
Plastipak was the winning bidder for APPE last fall, submitting an offer to buy the firm from the liquidating La Seda de Barcelona SA for more than $300 million.
Back in Louisiana, new production line installation is expected to begin this quarter at the 862,000-square-foot facility, the state said. Work should be completed by the end of the first quarter.
