An international manufacturer made a significant commitment last year to bring its first U.S. production facility to Gaston County. Last week, the Charlotte Business Journal reported the company celebrated the start of construction for that new facility.
Premix Group, a Finland-based plastics manufacturer, held a groundbreaking ceremony with local leaders for its $47 million facility at Apple Creek Corporate Center. The company revealed its plans for the facility, which is expected to create 30 jobs, last May. With construction beginning, Premix is targeting a 2025 production start at Apple Creek.
Upon announcing its Gaston County facility last year, Premix also revealed it had been awarded a $79.9 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense for the facility. The grant was said at the time to support the facility that would “primarily produce plastic materials for diagnostic testing.” The operations represent a major step into a new market for Premix.
“This is truly a historic day for us,” said Hanna Ristola, managing director at Premix Group. “Today, this project reaches a milestone that will define our future.”
Premix bought its 18.3-acre project site at Apple Creek back in September, according to Gaston County real estate records. A purchase price for the site, which was previously owned by the county, is unclear. Premix’s project team for its new facility includes Landmark Builders, Acro Development Services and WGM Design.
Premix is one of five manufacturing projects to have landed at Apple Creek since August 2020. The more than 300-acre industrial park has now drawn over $130 million in total pledged investment across those five announced projects.
The park has been a particular hit with international manufacturers. Donny Hicks, director of the Gaston County Economic Development Commission, said foreign direct investment has been a strong suit of the county for years, particularly with small- to medium-sized businesses.
“I think we’ve just done a good job connecting with them, providing resources for them and finding support for them,” Hicks said. “That has helped them make that decision.”
County leaders planned and assembled land for Apple Creek for years before its initial groundbreaking in June 2020. The industrial park is between Gastonia and Dallas, and neighbors Gastonia Technology Park. The county pursued the idea for Apple Creek once Gastonia Technology Park was reaching capacity.
Now, half of Apple Creek’s sites have been acquired by manufacturing users in less than three years. Four of the five facilities that have been announced at the park are either complete or under construction, Hicks said. There are five remaining sites at Apple Creek. While Hicks said there are several prospects eyeing the park, no more projects are ready for an announcement at this time.
