Columbus, OH – Italy-based Sofidel Group has announced plans to locate a new U.S. manufacturing facility in the Columbus Region. Pending required approvals and favorable due diligence, the facility will be located in Circleville.
The project represents the first U.S. greenfield project for Sofidel Group, one of the world’s leading integrated paper manufacturers. Founded nearly 50 years ago in Italy and still privately held by families of the founders, the company is recognized as the sixth largest manufacturer of tissue paper in the world, with operations in 13 countries.
“The U.S. is the most important market in the tissue paper industry, so selecting an ideal facility location was critical to our continued growth in American markets,” said Luigi Lazzareschi, chief executive officer, Sofidel Group. “Assistance from SelectUSA, JobsOhio, Columbus 2020 and the Pickaway Progress Partnership was critical in our evaluation of communities and selection of Circleville for our new plant.”
The planned 1.4 million-square-foot Circleville manufacturing facility will increase production in the U.S. and is projected to be ready for operation in 2017. Manufacturing and management positions will be available, and hiring is set to begin in fall 2016.
“Pickaway is very excited to welcome Sofidel to our community,” said Brian Stewart, president, Pickaway County Board of Commissioners. “The Board of Commissioners has worked closely with Pickaway Progress Partnership, the City of Circleville, and many other community partners to make our county an attractive place to do business, and the results are speaking for themselves. These new jobs will be an incredible addition to our local economy.”
Successful collaboration between Columbus 2020 and SelectUSA was a driving force in Sofidel’s attraction to the Columbus Region. The 2015 SelectUSA Investment Summit served as a catalyst for the relationship, allowing Columbus 2020 to display the Columbus Region’s operational advantages for international companies. In the weeks following the SelectUSA event, Columbus 2020 was accompanied by the Pickaway Progress Partnership during a visit to the Sofidel facility in Italy, which is where company leaders first learned of the Circleville site.
“We’re thrilled the SelectUSA Investment Summit provided a platform to initiate this relationship and a springboard for collaboration between a wide variety of community partners. We look forward to working with Columbus 2020 and the Sofidel Group as the investment progresses,” said Vinai Thummalapally, executive director, SelectUSA. “Congratulations to all involved for seizing this opportunity and working hard to bring manufacturing jobs to Circleville.”
The Columbus Region’s attraction effort leveraged several public and private collaborators, including JobsOhio, American Electric Power, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Norfolk Southern, the Ohio Rail Development Commission, the Ohio Department of Transportation Jobs & Commerce division, Pickaway Progress Partnership and many private businesses and community officials.
“We are delighted that Sofidel chose Ohio for its first integrated greenfield facility in the United States,” said JobsOhio Managing Director Glenn Richardson. “Sofidel’s investment will establish an Ohio presence for one of the world’s leading integrated paper manufacturers while creating jobs in Circleville.”