HENRY COUNTY - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Globaltex Inc. will locate its U.S. textile manufacturing operations in Henry County. The project will create 154 new jobs in three years. Through a $5.2-million investment, Globaltex plans to purchase a 77,000-square-foot facility previously occupied by VF. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina and South Carolina for the project. Governor Warner announced the project this afternoon at an event in Henry County.
The Globaltex announcement is the culmination of a major day for Martinsville and Henry County. Earlier this afternoon, Governor Warner joined U.S. Congressman Virgil H. Goode, Jr. to announce 150 new jobs for the City of Martinsville. MZM, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based company that provides information technology services to the federal defense and intelligence community, will locate a database and information technology operation in the City of Martinsville’s Clearview Shell Building. Through a $4.4 million investment, MZM will create 150 new jobs.
“Globaltex’s decision to locate in Henry County provides immediate job opportunities for the region’s skilled textile workers, particularly those who have been affected by the recent Pillowtex closing,” said Governor Warner. “This announcement also highlights a corporate decision to retain a manufacturing location in the U.S. to reduce shipping costs and better serve U.S. customers. When combined, today’s two economic development announcements bring more than 300 new jobs to Martinsville and Henry County.”
In business since 1994, Globaltex has become a premier provider of custom-ordered chenille yarns for the furniture upholstery industry. The company currently operates a corporate office in Davidson, North Carolina and manufacturing operations in Mexico. Globaltex plans to open this manufacturing location in the United States to better serve its U.S. customers and reduce shipping costs. The company is a key customer of Henry County-based Drake Extrusion. In Henry County, Globaltex will manufacture chenille and textured yarn.
Globaltex president and chief executive officer Jose Antonio Diaz-Llaneza cited the relationship with Drake among the many reasons for wanting to be in the Martinsville-Henry County area.
“This area has many advantages,” Diaz-Llaneza said. “It has an available pool of highly experienced and responsible textile employees; it is a community that is interested in developing new industrial investment and jobs; and it has a building adequate for our future expansion plans.”
“Most importantly, it has the very aggressive, highly competitive and creative development incentives program implemented by Governor Mark R. Warner and his team,” Diaz-Llaneza said. “We look forward to being part of the Martinsville-Henry County business community for many decades to come. We are coming here to stay.”
Governor Warner approved a $150,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist the Henry County with the project. The county also obtained $150,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Henry County Office of Commerce assisted Globaltex with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services.
“We are thrilled to have Globaltex as our latest corporate partner,” said David Davis, Chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. “The company comes to us highly recommended by people already in our community, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”