Ardagh Group is investing $195 million into the expansion of its metal beverage can manufacturing facility in Forsyth County, North Carolina.
The project will see Ardagh Group convert warehousing space to production space and install two new high-speed can manufacturing lines at the existing Winston-Salem facility, as well as additional building improvements.
The investment will create 94 jobs – including operations, production and administrative personnel – which will join its current 230 local employees. The company plans to complete the facility expansion by 2022.
Ardagh Group has produced aluminium beverage cans and can ends in Winston-Salem since 1975. With six production lines, the site is the company’s largest can manufacturing facility in the US.
“This project forms part of Ardagh’s Group’s global $2.1 billion 2021-2024 business growth investment programme and is being undertaken to meet fast-growing demand as consumers increasingly recognise the environmental and quality advantages of beverage cans,” said Claude Marbach, CEO of Ardagh metal beverage North America.
“Our products deliver high recycle and content rates, which support customer sustainability targets and contribute to a circular economy. This latest expansion in Winston-Salem is indicative of Ardagh’s consistent commitment to supporting customer growth.”
In Forsyth County, the project is expected to generate about $2.7 million in new taxes over five years.
Kyle Haney, community and economic development director for Forsyth County, said: “Ardagh Group’s continued commitment to Forsyth County underscores the strength of our manufacturing sector, particularly in food and beverage manufacturing, where we continue to see industry growth.”
Meanwhile, the company will receive a performance-based grant of $250,000 from the One North Carolina Fund to facilitate the expansion.
Mayor of Winston-Salem, Allen Joines, added: “Ardagh Group has been in our community for many years and we are glad to continue to partner with them for this expansion that will benefit their operations throughout the southeast. Their recommitment to Winston-Salem as their ideal location to grow helps us to further strengthen our manufacturing sector and build our workforce.”
Last year, Ardagh Group increased production capacity at its Mississippi beverage can facility and purchased a facility in Ohio to convert into a manufacturing plant for recyclable beverage cans and ends.
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