D&W Fine Pack LLC, one of the country's largest makers of thermoformed foodservice packaging, is investing $20 million into expanding the company's manufacturing site in South Carolina.
The Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based company indicated the project has already started and is expected to create an additional 60 jobs during the next five years in Fountain Inn, S.C.
Marketing Director Fran Rizzo told Plastics News that she is limited in what she can reveal about the investment right now, but did indicate the project will include extrusion and converting.
“D&W Fine Pack remains committed to investing in the latest innovations, skilled employees and business partnerships that will not only strengthen its competitive advantage in the marketplace, but help generate new opportunities for employment, economic development and community relationships,” CEO Kevin Andrews said in a statement.
Aside from Fountain Inn, the company has locations in San Bernardino, Calif.; Miami; Cadiz, Ky.; Elk Grove Village and Lake Zurich, Ill., Fort Wayne, Ind., Fort Calhoun, Neb.; Hatfield, Pa.; and Gladwin, Mich.
The South Carolina Department of Commerce issued the announcement regarding the expansion. “D&W Fine Pack's investment and the 60 new jobs it will bring to Laurens County is a big win and will have a real impact on the people of this state,” Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt said in the announcement.
D&W Fine Pack is owned by Mid Oaks Investments LLC, a Buffalo Grove, Ill.- based private investment firm.
D&W Fine Pack was created in 2010 after the acquisitions of Wilkinson Industries in 2004, Dispoz-o Products Inc. in 2009, C&M Fine Pack Inc. in 2009, and Tri-City Packaging in 2010, the company previously indicated.
Mid Oaks later invested in CM Packaging Group Inc., Clear Lam Packaging Inc.'s thermoforming division, and Jet Plastica Industries Inc. to help expand D&W Fine Pack, according to the investment firm's website.
D&W Fine Pack is ranked as the third largest thermoforming company by a Plastics News ranking of the industry, behind Dart Container Corp. and Pactiv LLC, with an estimated $500 million in sales.
Mid Oaks also owns Plastic Packaging Technologies LLC, a maker of flexible packaging such as pouches, bags and film roll stock.