Irving Consumer Products Breaks Ground on $400 Million Tissue Plant in Georgia

 

Irving Consumer Products broke ground on the construction of their new $400 million state-of-the-art tissue plant in Macon, Georgia, USA, this past week at an event at the site of their future home. Joined by Mayor Robert Reichert and Charlie Gatlin, Special Projects Advisor for Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), President Robert K. Irving acknowledged the next step in the construction of the new facility. 

"We’re excited to begin construction on this new plant. The plant will create over 200 permanent, skilled jobs and allow us to continue to meet our customers’ growing demands," said Robert K. Irving, president of Irving Consumer Products. "It will also provide growth in our home province. The pulp will be from Irving Woodlands, manufactured at our New Brunswick pulp mill."

The new plant will produce ultra-premium quality household paper products including soft bath tissue and high quality paper towel that is both strong and absorbent.

"It's a great day in Georgia when we get to celebrate a ground-breaking event," said Georgia Department of Economic Development Deputy Commissioner Tom Croteau. "We are excited that Irving Consumer Products chose Macon to expand their North American footprint, and are confident that they will find success here in Georgia."

Following the ground breaking, Irving Consumer Products hosted a community BBQ in Rosa Parks Square to recognize first responders for their efforts during Tropical Storm Irma. Hundreds of emergency responders worked to open shelters, restored major power outages, and clear debris from blocked roads. Irving Consumer Products contributed $30,000 to local relief efforts. The American Red Cross of Central Midwest Georgia and Salvation Army of Central Georgia each received a cheque for $15,000 for disaster response and relief efforts in Macon-Bibb County.

"I’m thrilled that Irving Consumer Products is already breaking ground on their new, state-of-the-art plant in the Sofkee Industrial Park. When we first met the people from Irving, I was amazed at their family atmosphere and values, and I knew they would be a great fit for our community," said Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert. "I am inspired and encouraged by their show of support for our emergency responders and know they will continue to be a great partner for many years to come."

Construction will be completed in 2019 and is estimated to provide 1,000,000 person hours of work. At the height of construction, over 540 people will be working on-site. 

In November 2016, Irving Consumer Products announced the purchase of a new ThruAir Dry machine. In August the company officially selected Macon, Georgia as the site for their new plant. The new plant will double the company’s ThruAir Dry capacity, increasing it by 75,000 metric tons, the equivalent of 15 million cases.