Nice-Pak Widens Expansion Plans
(rendering courtesy of Nice-Pak)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowNearly one year ago, New York-based Nice-Pak announced plans to expand its operations in Mooresville. Now, the wet wipes manufacturer is planning to invest $165 million to further grow in the Morgan County city with a 1.2 million-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility and the creation of 150 additional jobs by the end of 2024.
The company says the new expansion is a direct result of increased product demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Matt Litchfield, site director for Nice-Pak’s Indiana operations, tells Inside INdiana Business the decision to stay in Mooresville was an easy one.
“Our most important assets that we have here in Indiana are our associates; that’s why we chose to stay in Indiana,” said Litchfield. “But also, Mooresville’s been a terrific business partner for us in the community. We’ve been in Mooresville now…this is going on our 46th year and they’re incredibly supportive in our commitment to our sustainability efforts at our facilities.”
Nice-Pak’s previous expansion plans included a 760,000-square-foot plant, but those plans were revised to build the 1.2 million-square-foot facility. The new facility will be located five miles from the company’s existing, 147,000-square-foot location, which will remain in operation.
Nice-Pak says the new location will remain zero landfill and feature sustainability efforts such as natural and LED lighting, low-flow water fixtures, eco-friendly landscaping and high-efficiency HVAC systems.
“Nice-Pak has been a terrific Mooresville business partner for over 45 years,” Shane Williams, president of the Mooresville Town Council, said in a news release. “The economic impact of their new investment will be significant, and we are thrilled that the company has chosen to expand in our community.”
Construction on the new facility is expected to begin in March with the goal of beginning operations by May 2022.
The company says it recently received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for claims that its disinfectant wipes “demonstrate efficacy against the virus that causes COVID-19.” Litchfield says the company is fortunate to be able to grow during what is a very difficult time for many businesses.
“We know with this pandemic, there are a lot of companies that are not in the position that we at Nice-Pak are in,” said Litchfield. “For us, it means additional career opportunities for folks in the community and we’re incredibly proud of that.”
Nice-Pak currently employs more than 500 workers at its Mooresville location. The company has already hired 15 new employees toward its goal and is continuing to hire for a variety of positions.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has revised its offer to Nice-Pak of up to $2.5 million in conditional tax credits and training grants, which the company will not be eligible to claim until Hoosier workers are hired for the new jobs.
Litchfield says the decision to stay in Mooresville was an easy one.