Danish company to bring 145 jobs to Asheboro

August 14, 2017

ASHEBORO — Gov. Roy Cooper was on hand Monday to welcome a Danish company with plans to invest $114,125,000 for a manufacturing facility that will create 145 new jobs in Asheboro.

Fibertex Personal Care is among the world’s largest manufacturers of spunbond/spunmelt nonwovens used in the personal care industry to produce diapers, feminine hygiene and incontinence care products. The company chose Asheboro among a number of other U.S. locations visited.

A joint public hearing at the Historic 1909 Courthouse was held by the Randolph County Board of Commissioners and the Asheboro City Council, resulting in approval of $2.1 million in incentives, shared equally by the two governing bodies. The incentives will be granted over a seven-year period with anticipated tax revenues during that period totaling more than $3.5 million.

“Fibertex Personal Care could go anywhere in the world, but they chose North Carolina,” said Cooper. “Our state’s workforce and leadership in manufacturing and textiles brought this company here.”

Prior to the public hearing, Kevin Franklin of the Randolph County Economic Development Corp. introduced Fibertex, which was founded in 1968 and expanded in 2007 with its high-quality print subsidiary, Innowo Print. Fibertex, which has operations now in Denmark, Germany and Malaysia, will locate its first North American production facility in Asheboro with capabilities for both nonwoven production and printing.

Franklin said Fibertex was attracted to Asheboro after visiting the Thomas Tire site on Pineview Road, formerly the Goodyear plant. Thomas is currently renovating the current facility and will sell the eastern portion of the tract next to the railroad to Fibertex.

“The EDC sees this request as an investment rather than an expense,” said Franklin. “Your support of economic development activities through the location and expansion of manufacturing companies supports a strong local economy, a growing tax base that keeps tax rates low for all, and much-needed job opportunities for local citizens.”

He said that additional grants to assist with constructing a rail spur to the site include CDBG, the N.C. Department of Transportation and the N.C. Railroad.

Franklin introduced Fibertex representative Dan Ellingson, the first North American employee with the company. Ellingson said, “This industry expects to continue to grow, also printing. This is a special business to the county and a big deal for us.”

Ellingson said the company visited many North American sites, but “we felt this was right for us.” Besides the incentive package, he said, “we need to feel a connection. We know we made the right choice. We thank the city and county for their hard work to make this happen.”
During the public hearing, Faye Cox of Grantville Lane asked several questions concerning the incentives being offered.

“Can the county afford to invest this much money for a business like this?” she asked.

Commission Chair David Allen assured her that the investment will generate taxes.

Asked if county taxes would go up because of the incentives, Allen said, no, “We’re all taxpayers. We made sure it’s in our budget.”

Charlie Crickmore and Tim Greene both commented on having such a company come to Asheboro and create jobs.

After the public hearing, both boards voted unanimously to approve the incentive package.

“This is a big day for Asheboro,” said Mayor David Smith. “We’re excited to have you here.”
Allen said, “We look forward to continue working with you.”

After the public hearing was adjourned, Franklin said it took a “team effort with everyone working together to make this happen — the city, the county, the EDC, utilities and the property owner worked together to bring this to a successful conclusion.”

Gov. Cooper arrived after the public hearing, saying that the investment will grow the state’s economy by an estimated $327 million over five years. He said projects such at Fibertex are part of the state’s effort to create jobs in rural areas.

“I appreciate the opportunity to make this announcement,” said Cooper. “We want Fibertex to know once we get you we don’t forget you.”

Cooper was followed at the podium by the Fibertex CEO, presenting him with the state flag to signify the partnership.

“The coming factory in Asheboro will cover the markets of North and South America, which are very important for our expansion,” said Mikael Staal Axelsen, Fibertex Group CEO. “We expect fine growth rates within our niche, and therefore, the factory will need to be operational by the end of 2018. We are very pleased with the cooperation with North Carolina and Randolph County about this project, and look forward to being a part of the community in Asheboro.

“We all agreed this is where we want to be,” said Axelsen. “We’ll do our best to make this investment successful.”
Allen said he was “pleased and honored that the company picked Asheboro. It was a wise decision, I believe. It’s a great place to work and play.”

An emotional Smith said the announcement “makes me proud to be mayor. This lets everyone know that Asheboro is open for business.”

Other dignitaries present were Sixth District U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, N.C. Sens. Jerry Tillman and Rick Gunn, N.C. Reps. Pat Hurley and Allen McNeill, and a host of others representing the local business and education communities.

Source: Courier Tribune- 

After the public hearing, both boards voted unanimously to approve the incentive package.

 
“This is a big day for Asheboro,” said Mayor David Smith. “We’re excited to have you here.”

Allen said, “We look forward to continue working with you.”

After the public hearing was adjourned, Franklin said it took a “team effort with everyone working together to make this happen — the city, the county, the EDC, utilities and the property owner worked together to bring this to a successful conclusion.”

Gov. Cooper arrived after the public hearing, saying that the investment will grow the state’s economy by an estimated $327 million over five years. He said projects such at Fibertex are part of the state’s effort to create jobs in rural areas.

“I appreciate the opportunity to make this announcement,” said Cooper. “We want Fibertex to know once we get you we don’t forget you.”

Cooper was followed at the podium by the Fibertex CEO, presenting him with the state flag to signify the partnership.

“The coming factory in Asheboro will cover the markets of North and South America, which are very important for our expansion,” said Mikael Staal Axelsen, Fibertex Group CEO. “We expect fine growth rates within our niche, and therefore, the factory will need to be operational by the end of 2018. We are very pleased with the cooperation with North Carolina and Randolph County about this project, and look forward to being a part of the community in Asheboro.

 
“We all agreed this is where we want to be,” said Axelsen. “We’ll do our best to make this investment successful.”

Allen said he was “pleased and honored that the company picked Asheboro. It was a wise decision, I believe. It’s a great place to work and play.”

An emotional Smith said the announcement “makes me proud to be mayor. This lets everyone know that Asheboro is open for business.”

Other dignitaries present were Sixth District U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, N.C. Sens. Jerry Tillman and Rick Gunn, N.C. Reps. Pat Hurley and Allen McNeill, and a host of others representing the local business and education communities.

Source: Courier Tribune