APPLIED FELTS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION IN HENRY COUNTY
Project Will Include $3 Million in Capital Investment and 15 New Jobs
Richmond, VA – Applied Felts announced today that they will significantly expand their production operation in Henry County. The $3 million expansion will include a 21,000 square foot addition to their facility at North Bowles Industrial Park as well as new equipment that will increase production capacity to meet increasing demand. 15 new manufacturing jobs will be created as a result of the expansion. Carl Fleming, Financial Controller at Applied Felts, estimates that construction on the building will be completed by late spring and one of the two new lines will be operational at that time with the other coming on line in the fall.
The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved a $35,000 Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund grant for this project. This is the second time the Tobacco Commission has supported an expansion at Applied Felts, having approved $150,937 in 2011.
Tobacco Commission member, Delegate Danny Marshall said, “It is great to watch a successful business expand and offer more jobs in our region. The Tobacco Commission is pleased to help support the growth of Applied Felts with a $35,000 grant. The company’s $3 million investment in building expansion and machinery, for increased production, is an important investment in our community because it provides more jobs. We appreciate Applied Felts choosing to expand its line locally and hope that they have great success with their new markets.”
Applied Felts is the leading manufacturer of pipe liners utilizing Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) technology, which it helped create. The CIPP process involves resin being injected into existing pipes which then cures in place. The process is used primarily to repair sewer lines without the need to remove and replace them, potentially offering substantial savings to localities with aging infrastructure. Applied Felts is a subsidiary of W.E. Rawson Group based in the United Kingdom and expanded to the United States in 1997 with the opening of its Henry County facility.
Jim Adams, Chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors said, “We congratulate Applied Felts on its expansion. The company is one of our most solid corporate citizens, and we look forward to its continued success. We are blessed to have the company in Henry County.”
Mark Heath, President/CEO of the Martinsville-Henry County EDC added, “As Applied Felts continues to grow and expand its Henry County operations it is a testament to the companies’ strong position in a unique global market. We look forward to their continued success”
The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is committed to developing a diverse economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia. Companies like Applied Felts that offer innovative products used worldwide show that our region has the facilities, workforce and infrastructure needed to compete in a global market for high quality jobs and investment.
Contact: Jordan Butler
Telephone: 804-786-7692
Cell: 757-692-0878
Email: jordan.butler@tic.virginia.gov
Website: www.tic.virginia.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/25/17