Charter NEX Films is spending $85 million to create a new specialty film manufacturing plant in South Carolina.
The project in Blythewood, S.C., is expected to create more than 110 new jobs for the plastic film maker, according to the state.
Charter NEX will construct a new 140,000-square-foot plant, and expects to begin hiring employees for the facility during the second quarter of next year. The plant will be situated in the Carolina Pines Industrial Park.
“Their commitment to our community and the creation of these quality new jobs are further evidence of the benefits we see when we invest in our future,” said Richland County Council Chair Joyce Dickerson in a statement.
Charter NEX is spending tens of millions on a new facility just months after being acquired by private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners of Los Angeles in a reported $1.5 billion deal.
Pamplona Capital Management had acquired Charter NEX from fellow private equity firm Mason Wells of Milwaukee in 2015.
Formed in 2012 through the combination of NEX Performance Films Inc. and Charter Films Inc., the company also acquired blown and cast film maker Bloomer Holdings Inc. in 2015. That deal brought locations in Bloomer, Wis., and Delaware, Ohio, to the company.
Charter NEX, based in Milton, Wis., has a total of six production facilities, including other sites in Superior, Wis., and Turners Falls, Mass. The company also has expanded its locations in Milton and Rhinelander, Wis., in recent years.
Charter NEX ranked 22nd in the most recent Plastics News list of North American producers of plastic film and sheet with annual sales of $400 million.
“The 110 jobs that this investment will create for South Carolinians clearly show Charter NEX's commitment to our state and our people. We are grateful that this great company has decided to choose South Carolina for its new location, and we look forward to the future prosperity that we know will come from this partnership,” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement.
The $85 million project is receiving job development credits from the Coordinating Council for Economic Development, the state indicated.
Charter NEX CEO Kathy Bolhous could not immediately be reached for comment.