Irving Tissue Officially Opens New $470-Million Tissue Plant in Macon, GA

Irving Tissue’s newest $470-million tissue plant is officially open in Macon, GA, and based on a new, additional $400 million investment, will soon double its capacity. The announcement was made at a ceremony held in early November at the new plant where Irving Tissue president Robert K. Irving was joined by Georgia Lieutenant-Governor Geoff Duncan, Macon-Bibb-County Mayor Robert Reichert, MCBIA chairman Robert Fountain Jr. and other dignitaries to celebrate both the official opening of the plant and yet another major investment by Irving Tissue in the community.

“It is a great day for Macon, the state of Georgia and Irving Tissue. We’re pleased to be expanding our business in the United States. We knew that this plant’s strategic location would allow us to reach key markets and help to drive our growth. Our customers’ enthusiastic support of its state-of-the-art technology has meant that our new plant is already at capacity, so we’re thrilled to announce the second phase of this expansion project,” said Irving. “This exciting expansion is possible because of our valued customers and the commitment of our employees and suppliers to deliver the best value and quality."

Irving Tissue’s new $470-million plant is located on Allen Road in the Sofkee Industrial Park and employs more than 200 people. It produces ultra-premium quality household paper products including soft bath tissue and high-quality paper towel that is both strong and absorbent.

The new second phase of the project represents an additional $400 million investment, adding another 150 jobs and will be completed by January 2022. “We’ve already ordered an additional thru air dry machine that will be a duplicate of what we already have in our Macon plant,” said Irving.

“Irving Tissue has been an excellent employer in Macon-Bibb County,” said Governor Kemp. “We are excited to see this great, Georgia Made company expanding its operations even further. This announcement speaks to the strength of Georgia’s booming manufacturing industry, made possible by our world-class workforce. As the No. 1 State for Business seven years in a row, we know that our existing industries create great opportunities for hardworking Georgians every day, and I am grateful for Irving Tissue’s continued investment in Georgia.”

“It is an honor to celebrate the commitment Irving Tissue has made to Macon and the surrounding area,” said Lt. Governor Duncan. “We have worked hard here in Georgia to cultivate a diverse and developed workforce, as well as a high quality of living. It is exciting to witness companies like Irving Tissue take advantage of these factors and invest in our state’s continued growth.”

“J.D. Irving, Ltd. is a well-respected company with a North American footprint. We are thrilled and delighted they have chosen to locate and expand their facility for their consumer products division - Irving Tissue - in Macon-Bibb County. The company’s fundamental values, that have driven its success, include a responsibility to make a positive difference in the communities where they are proud to live and work,” said mayor Reichert. “Not only are they setting a high standard within their industry, they are setting a new standard of community involvement and support here in Macon-Bibb County. Before their plant even opened, they were already fully involved in our community in multiple ways.”

“Today is a great day for Macon and Middle Georgia,” said Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority chairman Fountain. “Irving Tissue’s additional investment totaling nearly $1 billion since 2017 in our community is another testament to why Macon-Bibb County is a great place to do business.”

The first phase of the expansion involved 1.5 million person hours of work for contractors during construction with over 1,000 people on site at peak. Upwards of 50 Georgia companies were contracted during the build with dozens more subcontracted. Phase Two of the project will begin immediately and is expected to involve approximately one million person hours of work for contractors.

Construction of the Macon plant doubled Irving Tissue’s annual TAD capacity increasing it by 75,000 metric tons, the equivalent of 15 million cases; Phase Two will increase that to a 30-million case capacity in Macon.

Irving Tissue produces premium household store brand paper products for many of North America's top retailers, in addition to some of the top-selling tissue brands in the marketplace. It is part of Irving Consumer Products, one of North America's leading manufacturers of household paper and baby diaper products.

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