Pushed over its capacity by the pandemic, a recycler and plastic products manufacturer is investing millions in an expansion to North Texas.
Michigan-based Petoskey Plastics said it plans to invest $30 million in a new manufacturing facility in McKinney and build it out over the coming years.
“We are greatly increasing our ability to service current customers and adding new opportunities for our growing sustainable product lines, while operating in a highly desirable location with a small-town feel,” said Paul Keiswetter, Petoskey chairman and CEO, in a statement.
Plans to expand to 130K square feet
Petoskey Plastics plans to invest $30 million in this 53,000-SF facility in McKinney, growing it to 130,000 square feet within five years. [Photo: Petoskey Plastics]
The more than 50-year-old company—which produces plastic film, bags, and resin made from recycled content using a multi-layer structure that it says improves strength and flexibility—is moving into an existing 53,000-square-foot building that used to house home furnishing company Aidan Gray Living. It’s already working on expanding the facility, eventually aiming to reach 130,000 square feet within five years.
Spurred by high, pandemic-fueled customer demand for its products, including trash bags, construction sheeting, and automotive seat covers, Petoskey says the expansion will help it increase output by about 15% over the next year. Keiswetter added that the North Texas location will place the company closer to suppliers on the Gulf Coast and better position it to serve customers on the West Coast.
“We will be cutting our delivery time in half for both raw material and finished goods and will be more competitive, overall,” Keiswetter said.
Petoskey Plastics manufactures three-layer film with a middle layer made from 70% post-consumer recycled plastic resin. [Image: Petoskey Plastics]
Starting with 20 hires in McKinney
The new Texas facility will add to the company’s other manufacturing efforts in Petoskey, Michigan; Hartford City, Indiana; and Morristown, Tennessee. The company says it recycles more than 32,000 pounds of plastic annually.
To bring the production line to life, Petoskey said it aims to initially hire 20 employees, with a plan to add 55 new jobs when the facility’s expansion is finished. The company says it has 452 full-time employees. Its website currently lists six open positions at the McKinney facility, including production supervisor, lead extrusion blown film operator, maintenance technician, and human resources generalist.
“Over the next three to five years, we will continue to invest in top equipment and training for our associates,” Keiswetter said.
Petoskey Plastics says it specializes in “eco-friendly” products and has been recycling since 1978. [Image: Petoskey Plastics]
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