Sydney plastics manufacturer to build US plant

Sydney-based plastics manufacturer Era Polymer Corporation plans to open a US industrial facility in Gaston County, North Carolina, creating 20 new jobs in the area and promising to invest $9.2 million in the town of Stanley.

The company produces polyurethane products and has a worldwide distribution network. The new manufacturing operation in Stanley, the first American plant for the company, will join four other production facilities operated by the company in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Strong sales growth in North America led the company to search for a new business location in the United States.

“Era Polymers has been conducting business within the USA for more than 15 years,” said George Papamanuel, President of Era Polymers. “It became a logical step for us to establish our own presence in the USA with an advanced manufacturing facility, to better supply and technically service our growing customer base. This world-class facility is the ideal platform to support the next growth stage of our company.”

According to the local chamber of commerce, a performance-based grant of $50,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate Era Polymers’ move into Gaston County. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs.

According to an announcement made Wednesday afternoon by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s office, the new jobs come with an average annual wage of $66,250 — more than $30,000 more than the average wage in Gaston County, which is $38,780.

“The support from local, county and state authorities made a compelling case to locate our facility in Stanley…,” said Papamanuel. “This world-class facility is the ideal platform to support the next growth stage of our company.”