RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced Knight-Celotex, LLC will reopen the shuttered Masonite manufacturing facility in Danville, creating 145 jobs during the next 12 months. The company will invest $1 million to upgrade the plant for the manufacture of environmentally-friendly insulation, structural, roofing, and sound-deadening fiberboard products for residential and commercial construction nationwide.
“This is excellent news for the workforce and the economy of Southside Virginia,” Governor Warner said. “Knight-Celotex is re-starting an important economic engine for the region that will provide quality jobs for 145 people.”
Virginia successfully competed with Louisiana and Pennsylvania for the investment. The company estimates that the facility will be operational by January 2005. Knight-Celotex will offer jobs in manufacturing, mechanical and electrical maintenance, and other technical and operational positions.
James A. Knight, chief executive of Knight Industries, the parent company of Knight-Celotex, said the Virginia facility provides the company with many new opportunities to serve its customers. “The Virginia facility is the smart choice for Knight-Celotex in several ways,” said Mr. Knight. “We will soon be able to increase our fiberboard production capacity to meet the ongoing demand for our SoundStop®, SturdyBrace®, insulation sheathing, and Structodek® roofing products. Locating in Virginia provides our company with greater proximity to the fastest growing construction markets and an excellent source of skilled employees. The City of Danville has been excellent to work with throughout the process and we look forward to our future in Danville.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the City of Danville assisted Knight-Celotex with its decision to expand to Virginia. The company is eligible to receive tax credits from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development because it is locating in an enterprise zone. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training through its Workforce Services program.
“This is exciting news for the citizens of Danville and the region,” said Danville City Manager Jerry L. Gwaltney. “We are pleased to have worked with Knight-Celotex to bring life back to the facility and bring these much needed jobs to the community. The City of Danville Office of Economic Development has been committed to facilitating a buyer for the company and we are extremely pleased to have Knight-Celotex as Danville’s newest corporate partner. It is great to be able to recover 145 jobs that were lost.”
Knight-Celotex is the world’s leading manufacturer of fiberboard products for residential and commercial construction. Knight-Celotex brands include SoundStop® Sound Deadening Wall Systems, SturdyBrace® structural sheathing, Structodek® commercial roofing products, and Flexcell™ Expansion Joint Filler. The company also manufactures Korlite™, VersaKor?, FlameSpec®, and StylCraft® soft board products for the presentation board, furniture, packaging and wall systems industries. Knight-Celotex manufacturing facilities are located in Lisbon Falls, Maine; Marrero, La.; Sunbury, Pa.; and Danville, Va.