RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Carded Graphics, LLC, (CGL) a premier folding carton converter, will invest $6.5 million to expand manufacturing capacity in Staunton and create 35 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project.
“Carded Graphics has been a strong corporate citizen in Staunton for 25 years,” said Governor Kaine. “The company manufactures folding cartons for an impressive list of nationally recognized brands and has one of the most modern facilities in the industry. I am confident this expansion will continue to bolster Carded Graphics’ success.”
CGL converts folding cartons, paper sheets and rolls into packaging products, and does commercial printing for the packaging industry. The company also handles warehousing and distribution of packaging products.
The current 50,000-square-foot facility opened in Green Hills in 1996.
CGL is the result of a June 2006 merger of Carded Graphics Inc. and Pell Paper Company. Murry Pitts, now president and CEO of CGL, bought Pell Paper in the early 1980s and later purchased Carded Graphics Inc. He merged the two businesses to combine the capabilities of the two operations, enabling CGL to triple the volume at the Staunton plant and expand the workforce from 33 to 50 over the past 12 months.
“Staunton was chosen as the location of our business expansion for several reasons,” said Pitts, CGL president and CEO. “We have been very pleased with the quality of the workforce in Staunton, and it’s all about workforce these days for manufacturers. The location at I-81 and I-64 is also a plus for distribution of our product. Finally, the funding and workforce training support from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance and the City of Staunton has made my job easier and convinced me that Staunton was the right choice.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Staunton and the Staunton Department of Economic Development to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved $75,000 from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Staunton with the project. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, because it is locating in a Virginia Enterprise Zone. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will support the project with training assistance through its Workforce Services Jobs Investment Program.
“Carded Graphics has a quarter of a century history in Staunton and it’s always a success for the City when we can help one of our long-time businesses grow in today’s economy,” said Staunton Mayor Lacy King. “This expansion in addition to our other recent expansions proves that the manufacturing sector still has a vital role in Staunton.”