Gov. Sanford and Anderson County Welcome First Quality Tissue to South Carolina – Who’s On The Move

Company plans to invest $1 billion and create 1,000 newjobs in Anderson County

ANDERSON COUNTY, SC – May 14, 2010 – Gov. Mark Sanford, the South CarolinaDepartment of Commerce and Anderson County today announced that FirstQuality Tissue SE LLC will locate its manufacturing operations inAnderson County.  First Quality Tissue will establish a manufacturingfacility utilizing a state-of-the-art Thru-Air-Dried (TAD) technologyand a complete line of converting equipment, significantly expanding itscapacity and commitment to the tissue and towel industry.  The companyplans to invest $1 billion and create 1,000 new jobs to support its newproduction facility in Anderson County, South Carolina. 

“First Quality is very pleased to become part of Anderson County, SouthCarolina, and we look forward to working together to create realopportunities with all our partners, both in government and the privatesector, that will benefit the entire community,” said Frank Ludovina,company representative for First Quality.  “Among the factors thatattracted First Quality to Anderson are the pool of skilled labor,positive work ethic and the availability of the infrastructure necessaryto sustain our facility.  As important, however, is the pro-businessenvironment that has been created there.  First Quality’s decision tolocate in South Carolina would not have been possible without theabundant support from Governor Sanford, the team at the Department ofCommerce and officials from Anderson County.  We appreciate SouthCarolina’s commitment to First Quality and look forward to a prosperouspartnership in the years ahead.”

“Fist Quality’s decision to put down roots in South Carolina and make asubstantial investment of capital and new job creation is furtherindication that our efforts to establish a business-friendly climate areproving to be successful in today’s global competition for economicgrowth.  Over the past several months, I had the opportunity to get toknow the leadership at First Quality and I am confident that theirdecision to locate here will pay dividends for the company, our state’sbusiness community and the local workforce in Anderson County, and welook forward to growing our relationship with First Quality in thecoming years.  Because announcements like this take a large degree ofwork at a variety of levels, I’d thank and applaud Secretary Taylor andthe team at Commerce, as well as the local economic developmentcommunity for the team efforts presented to make this announcementpossible,” said Gov. Sanford.

“With today’s announcement, South Carolina has again demonstrated thatwe have the resources to compete and attract the finest companies in theworld.  First Quality’s decision to locate in Anderson County is astrong reflection on our state’s skilled workforce, unmatched marketaccess and most importantly our state’s understanding that businesseslocate where they can be successful and that means low regulatoryburdens and low tax rates.  Our business-friendly climate and talentedteam of economic development professionals, with an incredible salesmanin the Governor’s office, were the winning combination needed to makethis announcement of $1 billion in new investment and 1,000 new jobs forAnderson County a reality,” said Sec. Joe Taylor. 

After an extensive site selection process in which the companyconsidered multiple locations in the United States, Anderson County wasselected due to its proximity to the growing Southeastern market,quality infrastructure and low energy costs among other factors.  FirstQuality Tissue will acquire the former Shaw Industries facility onMasters Boulevard where it will construct its new manufacturingfacilities.   In addition to First Quality’s plans to create 1,000 newdirect jobs over time, construction of the new facilities will generatean immediate impact with an additional 550 construction jobs.

“The First Quality announcement is great news for Anderson County andcould not come at a better time.  This investment will create hundredsof jobs in the area.  I am very proud of the coordination between ourlocal and state governments and was glad to be helpful in bringing thisfirst rate company to South Carolina.  The Department of Commerce andthe Anderson community deserve a lot of credit for putting together abusiness plan to attract First Quality.  I appreciate their hard work.  Iam very proud First Quality has decided to do business in Anderson, andI look forward to a long and productive relationship,” said Sen.Lindsey Graham.

“I want to congratulate the Anderson community for the hard work andoptimism that is helping to attract new business to the area,” said Sen.Jim DeMint. “First Quality chose South Carolina for their newmanufacturing facility because our state is one of the best places inthe world to do business.  This new development will create hundreds ofnew jobs for the region and is an exciting opportunity for Anderson.  I’m also thankful for the local and state partners who have workedtogether to bring this major economic development to South Carolina.  And I will continue my fight in Washington to stop job-killing spending,taxes and debt so that South Carolina workers and companies like FirstQuality that employ them can have the best chance to succeed,” DeMintcontinued.

“This is the culmination of a great effort by federal, state and localofficials working as a team for a common goal to create jobs.  I wasprivileged to be a part of the team,” said state Sen. Billy O’Dell

“I cannot say enough good things about First Quality, and what theirdecision means to the hundreds that will get a job with this greatcompany.  South Carolina has a lot to offer companies coming to thestate, and I am proud of the work we have done to help put our citizensto work,” said South Carolina House Ways and Means Chairman DannyCooper.  “As people take notice of the quality of Anderson County’sworkforce, I am confident these announcements will become more commonplace.  I am pleased that First Quality chose to put their faith inSouth Carolina.”

First Quality Tissue expects the initial operations to commence in 2011and will begin the hiring process in the third quarter of 2010.  Thecompany anticipates hiring 200 positions at that time.  ReadySC™ willassist with hiring and training of new employees for the new AndersonCounty facility.  Individuals interested in applying for positionsshould visit the S.C. Tech Jobs Web site at www.sctechjobs.com in themonths ahead.

“This day would not have come without the collaboration and cooperationbetween federal, state and local officials,” said Anderson CountyCouncil Chairman Tommy Dunn.  “We especially applaud the Department ofCommerce and Senator Jim DeMint’s office for burning the midnight oil tomake this happen.  Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank SenatorBilly O’Dell, Representative Dan Cooper, who along with the AndersonCounty Legislative Delegation played a critical role in this project.”

“Project Big Water is finally here,” said Anderson County CouncilmanEddie Moore, District 3.  “How can anyone not get excited about $1billion in investment and 1,000 jobs!  Now, that’s what I call economicdevelopment.  We are pleased First Quality has found a home in AndersonCounty.  This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!”

First Quality Tissue currently operates two TAD tissue facilities with acombined capacity of approximately 150,000 tons per year.  The initialplans for the Anderson County facility call for two additional TADmachines being installed consecutively, doubling  First Quality’scurrent capacity.  The company is anticipating having the first machineoperational in the third quarter of 2011 and the second machine o
n-lineby third quarter 2012.  The company’s new investment is anotherdemonstration of First Quality’s dedication to satisfying the needs ofthe market by providing innovative and high quality products.

About First Quality Tissue SE LLC.

First Quality Tissue SE LLC and its affiliates are a closely-helddiversified group of companies manufacturing, selling and distributingbranded and private label absorbent hygiene, paper, non-woven andbeverage products into the healthcare, retail and commercial channels.  First Quality is dedicated to meeting the demands of the market byproviding innovative and high-quality products manufactured utilizingstate of the art technology.  For more information please visit www.firstquality.com.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

The S.C. Department of Commerce works closely with economic developmentprofessionals throughout the state to recruit new jobs and investmentsand help existing businesses grow. Commerce has been recognized for itssuccess in the areas of job creation and economic impact by AreaDevelopment and Business Facilities magazines. The S.C. Department ofCommerce was one of 10 state economic development organizations toreceive Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award in 2009 and Commercereceived the 2009 Deal of the Year award from Business Facilitiesmagazine. Commerce received the top prize for Boeing’s selection ofNorth Charleston for the company’s second final assembly plant for the787 Dreamliner program.  In addition to job and investment recruitment,the agency provides a range of business support services, offers grantsfor community development and infrastructure improvements, and providestools to enhance workforce skills. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.