15 NEW JOBS COMING TO PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY
Eastern Panel Manufacturing Inc. Set to Expand
Richmond, VA – Governor Ralph Northam announced today that Eastern Panel Manufacturing Inc. (EPM) will expand its operation in Pittsylvania county. As part of the expansion, the company will move to a 55,000 square foot facility in the Chatham Industrial Park. The expansion will create 15 new jobs and includes $1 million in capital investment.
The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission awarded a $30,000 Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund grant to assist with this project.
Tobacco Commission member, Senator Bill Stanley said, “It is great to see a successful business expanding and adding jobs in our region. Companies like Eastern Panel show that our manufacturing workforce is second to none and I am pleased that the Tobacco Commission chose to support this project.”
Eastern Panel Mfg. Inc. is a custom plywood manufacturer with a combined experience of over 100 years that laminates, and machines, decorative wood veneers and High Pressure Laminates (HPL) to a wide variety of core materials.
EPM specializes in supplying Office, Residential, and Contract furniture manufacturers with quality cut-to-size, or sheet stock plywood to their specifications. EPM also services the Architectural Millwork industry along with many Cabinetmaking clients. North American and Exotic veneers are laminated to particleboard, MDF, lumber, lumber banded and veneer core.
President of Eastern Panel Manufacturing, Keith Van Asch said, “Eastern Panel Manufacturing Inc. has enjoyed the advantage of operating in Chatham for well over 20 years. During those years, Chatham has proven to be an excellent place to conduct business and offers us all the support we need to operate efficiently. The combination of our experienced local workforce, along with being centrally located to our customer base and vendors, produce a natural fit to remain in Pittsylvania County. As our company’s offerings continue to transform and broaden, the acquisition of this facility provides us with greater flexibility to expand on future opportunities.”
Chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, Robert “Bob” Warren III added, “Pittsylvania County has been very fortunate to have Eastern Panel Manufacturing as an integral member of our thriving business community, and we are so pleased that they have chosen to expand their operations here. We are thankful for their continued commitment to the county and to the economic growth of our region, and we are proud to have them in our growing business family. The Board offers our warm congratulations to Eastern Panel on the acquisition of their new building in the Chatham Industrial Park, and we wish them great success as they move into this new and exciting phase of the company’s future. We very much look forward to continuing our partnership with them as they grow and prosper here in Pittsylvania County.”
Mayor of the Town of Chatham, Roy P. Byrd said, “It’s indeed a pleasure at any time to hear of increased economic opportunity here in our small community. More jobs and private investment are always welcome, especially when associated with one of our existing businesses expanding into a vacant facility in our industrial park. We have many folks in our area who have the skillsets that match the workforce needs of Eastern Panel Manufacturing. On behalf of the Town Council, I thank both Eastern Panel Manufacturing for believing in our community, the County Board of Supervisors, and their economic development staff for facilitating this exciting expansion that will directly benefit the Town of Chatham and its residents and businesses”.
The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is committed to developing a diverse economy in the areas we serve. Manufacturing has long been an important part of the Virginia economy, especially in Southern and Southwest Virginia, and companies like Eastern Panel Manufacturing show that growth and success in this sector continues to be possible today.
Contact: Jordan Butler
Telephone: 804-786-7692
Cell: 757-692-0878
Email: jbutler@revitalizeva.org
Website: www.revitalizeva.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/15/2018