DANVILLE — EPL America, Inc. in Danville will invest $37.4 million to expand its manufacturing facility and add 24 new jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday.
The company plans to upgrade its 200,000 square foot facility and add new machinery.
The additional equipment will allow EPL, formerly known as Essel Propack, to grow into the beauty and cosmetics market and serve customers interested in replacing existing plastic products with laminate tubing, according to a news release from the governor's office. It will be possible to provide the following.
“EPL America's decision to expand its operations in Danville demonstrates that Virginia is a solid business partner for global companies and has a fertile ecosystem for advanced materials manufacturing.” Youngkin said in a prepared statement. “Virginia and EPL have worked together for more than 20 years, and we are proud that our two leaders have decided to reinvest in Virginia's comprehensive talent pool and growing manufacturing industry through this expansion.”
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EPL America is part of EPL Group, a global leader in specialty packaging. The company has 315 employees at its Cane Creek Boulevard facility on South Boston Road and 3,700 employees worldwide.
The company manufactures plastic laminate tubes for industries such as oral care, beauty and cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
The expansion announced by EPL is another example of its continued commitment to Danville and the Southern Virginia region, said Cory T. Bobb, the city's director of economic development and tourism.
“Today's expansion marks EPL's ninth expansion and the largest investment announced since locating in our community in 2002,” Bove told the Danville Register & Bee. . “The company's continued growth demonstrates that our region offers access to a skilled workforce and favorable business environment.”
Since its inception in India in 1984, EPL has partnered with the world's top consumer goods companies to manufacture packaging solutions for their products. EPL operates 21 factories across five continents.
“We at EPL are grateful for the incentives provided by Governor Glenn Youngkin and the State of Virginia,” Mauro Katopodis, president of EPL Limited Americas, said in a prepared statement. “This strengthens our long-term commitment to the city of Danville and the state of Virginia, and will result in greater economic benefits for our community.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Danville and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance to secure the Virginia project.
Alliance Executive Director Linda Green noted the company's long-standing role in manufacturing in the region and praised its consistent innovation.
“The company's commitment to excellence in packaging keeps it at the forefront of the industry and ensures its continued contributions to both the region and the commonwealth,” Green said in a prepared statement.
Youngkin approved a $90,000 grant from the Federal Opportunity Fund to support the City of Danville project. The Virginia Jobs Investment Program provides funding and services to support EPL's employee training.
“This expansion not only strengthens Danville's position as a great place to do business, but also creates 24 new jobs in our community,” Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones prepared. said in a statement. “We welcome EPL America’s continued commitment to our city and look forward to the positive impact this expansion will have on our region.”
U.S. Rep. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, and state Sen. Tammy Mulch, R-Clarksville, also applauded the move to expand EPL.
