Inteplast AmTopp installs new stretch film lines in Arizona and North Carolina plants

Inteplast Group (Livingston, NJ) announced phase II of its AmTopp stretch film expansion. One line will be added to each of its Charlotte, NC, and Phoenix, AZ, locations, allowing the company to add nearly 40 jobs to the existing 34 that were created during phase I of the expansion in 2016. This comes on the heels of Inteplast’s acquisition of the Gossen Corp. plants in Glendale, WI, and Cartersville, GA, which brought back approximately 140 jobs between the two facilities. Gossen had been in the process of shutting down operations when Inteplast acquired the company in December. Gossen extrudes cellular PVC molding and millwork for the residential housing market.

North Carolina’s and Arizona’s unemployment rates, both at 5%, are higher than the 4.6% national average, said Inteplast’s release. The AmTopp expansion in both states is expected to add a total of 74 jobs. Between its facilities in Charlotte and Phoenix, the company has invested at least $25 million in real estate alone. Capital investments for phases I and II total $18 million for Charlotte’s two lines and $20 million for Phoenix’s equipment.

“It is this type of financial commitment and backing that provide a source for stable manufacturing jobs in Phoenix and Charlotte and is an example of the Inteplast Group’s commitment to the U.S. manufacturing sector,” said Homer Hsieh, President of AmTopp Division.

The addition to both plants comprises state-of-the-art, cast extrusion lines that will be fully operational during the first quarter of 2017. The phase II additions will result in 65 million more pounds of capacity, increasing AmTopp’s overall stretch film capacity to 385 million pounds in the United States.

Hsieh noted: “In addition to strengthening the manufacturing communities in both Phoenix and Charlotte, we believe strongly in continuously making investments to provide more first-rate stretch film solutions to better serve our customers. The commitment to be the best stretch film supplier is made not only by the finest manufacturing and sales teams in the industry but is backed up by the financial support from Inteplast Group. We are all very proud to be part of the progress that continues to unfold at each location.”