Israeli Fiber Company Brings $17 Million Investment, 42 Jobs to North Carolina

State Grant Helps Shalag Industries Open New Facility in Oxford

10/12/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today announced that Shalag Industries Ltd., an international supplier of nonwoven fabrics used in the hygiene and wipes markets, will open a new plant in Granville County. The company will invest more than $17 million and create 42 jobs in Oxford. The announcement was made possible in part by a $110,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

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“North Carolina is home to more nonwoven textile plants than anywhere else in the United States, and the U.S. is home to more nonwoven textile plants than anywhere else in the world,” Perdue said. “Our business-friendly policies, superb quality of life and skilled, productive workforce are helping companies build success in our state.”

Shalag Industries, headquartered in Upper Galilee, Israel, produces nonwoven fabrics primarily from polypropylene, polyester and viscose fibers. The fabric is used in the production of dry and wet wipes, diapers and personal hygiene products. The company’s major customers include Johnson & Johnson, Nicepak and Kimberly Clark.

The company, which has one manufacturing plant in Israel, plans to construct a facility in Oxford, where fibers will be thermo-bonded into nonwoven fabric. The project’s 42 new jobs will pay an average annual wage of $39,966, not including benefits, which is higher than the Granville County average annual wage of $33,020.

“Shalag is looking forward to becoming a successful corporate citizen in North Carolina and in Oxford,” company CEO Ilan Pickman said. “North Carolina is a recognized center for nonwoven manufacturing and R&D and we have identified here a strong infrastructure to support our business.”

The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.

“North Carolina continues to be attractive to new companies because of our top-notch workforce and these new jobs are good news for Oxford,” said Rep. Jim Crawford.

“During these tough economic times, I welcome this effort to recruit new businesses and to bring jobs to Granville County,” said Sen. Doug Berger.

North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state will work aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain our workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.

Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 40,000 jobs and $7 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other project partners include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, Granville County, City of Oxford, N.C. Community Colleges, Vance-Granville Community College, Research Triangle Regional Partnership and the Employment Security Commission.

For more information on Shalag Industries, go to: http://www.shalag.co.il/home.html.

Source: North Carolina Governor