WS Packaging to invest heavily in Tennessee

The five buildings, four in Knoxville and one in Powell totaling just over 60,000 sq ft, will be combined in a facility offering 220,199 sq ft of production and office space.

The 43 million USD investment over the next two years will involve adding new equipment that will enable the company to increase production of digital label printing, flexographic printing, digital offset printing and sheet-fed offset printing.

Currently, WS Packaging employs 68 people in Knoxville and 44 in Powell. The expanded operations at the new facility are projected to create 231 new jobs from March 2014 through 2016.

Rex Lane, chief executive officer of WS Packaging, said: ‘WS Packaging Group has a long-standing history as a leading provider of complex label solutions for branded consumer and business-to-business products for companies throughout North America.

‘This expansion in Knoxville will allow us to meet the changing and growing needs of our customer base. It also will enable us to leverage a strong business environment, with support from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, to create additional employment opportunities.’

The move to the new Knoxville facility is expected to begin in April and be completed by July.

Lane added: ‘This consolidation and equipment expansion will allow us to expand our support of our current customers, and remain well-positioned for long-term growth. We’re excited about our growth prospects and the opportunity to continue investing in our business for the future.’