W.L. Plastics Corp. is investing $40 million in a second high density polyethylene pipe facility in Lubbock, Texas.
"We're in … the early stages of working with the city and getting all permitting and working with the city, LEDA and the railroad," Erik Balthrop, senior manager of finance and procurement at W.L. Plastics said at an announcement meeting held by the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance.
The new facility is expected to create 95 new jobs in the area.
Forth Worth, Texas-based W.L. declined to comment on the expansion in response to inquiry by Plastics News.
"It's a great environment, so we want to be able capitalize on that with our upcoming expansion," Balthrop said. "The workforce has proven to be exceptional here in Lubbock. That, in our business, is key."
W.L. Plastics serves the marine, industrial, plumbing, municipal water and sewer, irrigation, gas and oil gathering/mining and gas distribution markets with high density PE pipe.
In addition to building new capacity, the company has grown via acquisition. Earlier this year, it purchased the PE pipe extrusion assets of Charter Plastics Inc. in Titusville, Pa.
Resin supplier Ineos Olefins & Polymers USA bought W.L. in 2016. Founded in 2000, W.L. Plastics ranks 15th among North American pipe, profile and tubing extruders with estimated sales of $460 million, according to Plastics News data.