HAMLET — Work is underway for a local plant’s third expansion in recent years.
Superior Plastics Extrusion Company, known locally as Impact Plastics, is doubling its “existing footprint” to add a 50,000-square-foot facility next to its main location on County Home Road north of Hamlet, according to Economic Developer Martie Butler.
The company will be investing $13 million over the next five years with an initial investment of $5.3 million, Butler said, adding that new jobs are coming with the expansion. There are currently 45 employees, according to Butler.
“Our Richmond County facility is the focal point for expansion,” Operations Manager Loren Temple, said in a statement. “In 2019, we brought in a muti-layer co-extrusion line to support food and medical products requiring oxygen and moisture protection for the contents of the various products. The line is now operational.
“In 2021 we brought in a state-of-the-art PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) co-extrusion line capable of running medical and food-grade materials from recycled plastics. Once our current building expansion is complete, we will add additional equipment staff.”
The Richmond County Board of Commissioners in May voted to deed a 0.865-acre strip of county-owned land between Impact Plastic’s property and the CSX railroad easement to facilitate the project.
“This announcement firmly places Richmond County as a state leader in economic development,” Commissioner Tavares Bostic said in a statement late Wednesday. “We’ve shown that seeing existing industry as family and potential industry as friends breeds motivation and growth. This is a huge win for everyone.”
The Connecticut-based company — which specializes in high-efficiency, tight-tolerance, thin-gauge extruded sheet and roll stock… with an offering of thermoplastic resin materials that are highly customizable and suitable for a variety of end-use applications — has called Richmond County home since 2005.
Butler said the current expansion is separate from the $13 million investment announcement made in 2019, the same year Temple came on board.
In 2020, the company moved into a second location — the county’s fifth shell building — in the Rockingham West Industrial Park.
“Our relationship with Richmond County and North Carolina has facilitated our growth plans, often providing insight and assistance,” Temple said. “We consider the relationship a team effort in assisting the area with economic growth.”
“This news is the latest example of a manufacturer finding success in Richmond County and growing their footprint in our community,” Jeff Smart, chairman of the commissioners, said. “Impact has been a great corporate partner and continues to be one of our highest paying employers, with an average wage exceeding $75,000 per year.”
(NOTE: Dateline was changed – 3:03 p.m)