Sekisui Polymer Innovations, LLC (Sekisui SPI) has opened its third manufacturing facility, located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. The thermoplastics manufacturing company purchased the 365,000 square-foot facility last year, and recently commissioned the 56-acre site’s first extrusion line, which is specifically configured to produce Kydex Thermoplastics sheet materials for the aviation interiors market.
Ronn Cort, COO & president of Sekisui SPI, stated at the opening, “Our parent company, Sekisui Chemical (based in Japan), is intentionally investing in the US. Strengthening our position in Pennsylvania is a direct reflection of our confidence in the North American plastics manufacturing renaissance and our commitment to create careers in manufacturing in Bloomsburg, PA and Holland, MI.”
Foreign direct investment and export dollars: a powerful mix.
Sekisui SPI exports to 33 countries and is owned by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. Foreign direct investment and export dollars support and grow local economies. In 2015, Sekisui invested US$15 million in Bloomsburg, PA. That investment will continue in all three of SPI’s facilities. South Campus is the new North American corporate headquarters of Sekisui Chemical’s global sheet business that includes businesses in Pennsylvania and Michigan. All locations operate 24/7 to support the ongoing growth of SPI’s customers and markets.
Dennis Davin, Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Economic and Community Development, stated, “Manufacturing has a significant impact on Pennsylvania’s economy. In fact, the industry currently represents US$85 billion, or around 12 percent of our economy, ranking Pennsylvania among the top eight states in terms of manufacturing output. As a part of this important industry, Sekisui contributes directly to the overall well-being of the commonwealth and its residents.”
Cort added, “This day symbolizes our first step in creating a center of manufacturing excellence in Central PA. The addition of this extrusion line has created 25 highly skilled jobs. Additional jobs will be created as we add more extrusion lines and production resources and expand our customer collaboration center including our designLab and FSTLab. We will continue investing in employee development, health, and safety by expanding our training Dojo. And let’s not forget future generations in manufacturing: we will continue to partner with educational institutions and local manufacturers in providing STEM initiatives and apprenticeships.”
Cort also shared Sekisui’s dedication to producing and selling materials with regard for environmental protection worldwide. The Bloomsburg and Holland facilities are designated Zero Emissions (which is zero waste to landfill as defined by Sekisui Chemical’s program). South Campus will also undergo certification as a Zero Emissions facility.
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