First Quality to expand manufacturing capacity for its ultra-premium towel and tissue products as part of long-term growth plan

November 26, 2016 - New machines to bring hundreds of additional jobs to Anderson and Lock Haven communities where First Quality has proudly had a presence for many years.
  • Company Celebrates May 2016 Launch of Fifth Paper Machine, Located at Anderson, South Carolina Manufacturing Facility

  • Announces Plans to Build Two New State-Of-The-Art Paper Machines: One in Anderson, South Carolina and One in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania Facilities, to Bring Total to Seven Machines

  • New Machines to Bring Hundreds of Additional Jobs to Anderson and Lock Haven Communities Where First Quality has Proudly had a Presence for Many Years

November 21, 2016

Great Neck, New York – November 21, 2016 – First Quality Tissue, a leading manufacturer of ultra-premium towel and tissue products and part of the First Quality family of companies, today announced a series of expansion initiatives for its manufacturing and distribution capabilities, as part of its long-term growth plan.

The expansion includes the construction of two new state-of-the-art machines. One will be located in the company’s Anderson, South Carolina facility and is expected to be completed and begin production in the second half of 2018. The other will be located in the company’s Lock Haven, Pennsylvania facility and is expected to be completed and begin production in the first half of 2019. This expansion follows the successful May 2016 launch of First Quality’s fifth paper machine, which is located at the Anderson, South Carolina facility. The launch of these additional machines will add hundreds of jobs in both Anderson and Lock Haven.

First Quality said, “Our Company is honored to be a part of the Anderson and Lock Haven communities and extremely proud of the operations we have built together. We have witnessed the positive impact our Company has had on these U.S. towns–transforming dormant factories into state-of-the-art facilities which have created over 1,000 jobs that have provided exceptional employment opportunities to local community residents. We greatly appreciate our valuable team members and each of these communities, including the local and state representatives, for welcoming us with open arms and standing side-by-side with us as we developed these facilities. Our success is their success. First Quality Tissue’s additional investment reaffirms our commitment to our customers’ long-term objectives and will strengthen our company and these communities for decades.”

In January 2003, First Quality Tissue purchased a long-abandoned paper manufacturing site in Lock Haven. In just five short years, First Quality deconstructed this 100-year-old plant and its approximately one million square feet of antiquated buildings and built two state-of-the-art TAD towel and tissue facilities. First Quality’s Lock Haven operation now spans approximately two million square feet and employs approximately 500 team members.

In July 2010, First Quality Tissue replicated its success in Lock Haven when it identified and purchased an old and idled nylon fiber manufacturing plant in Anderson. In less than six years First Quality Tissue deconstructed the nylon fiber mill and built three state-of-the-art tissue mills in its place, where it now operates three machines, including the one launched in May of this year. Today, First Quality Tissue employs over 625 team members on its over 3.5 million square foot state-of-the-art campus in Anderson.

First Quality Tissue’s commitment to the ultra-premium tissue and towel market, its retail customers and consumers is unmatched. The strategic initiatives announced today will bring First Quality’s total number of tissue machines to 7, and reaffirms the company’s commitment to its customers’ growing demands for First Quality’s ultra-premium and innovative products.

 

ABOUT FIRST QUALITY

First Quality Tissue is a member of the privately held First Quality family of companies, a leading manufacturer of non-discretionary consumer products and the nation’s fastest-growing premium tissue producer. The Company is a market leader with a highly diversified and comprehensive product offering of high quality products. In addition to ultra-premium tissue and paper towel, First Quality companies manufacture a variety of products for adult care (incontinence & wipes), infant care (diapers & wipes), feminine care (tampons & sanitary pads), bottled water and engineered non-woven roll goods. For further information, please visit us at www.firstquality.com