Governor McDonnell Announces New Company Investment in City of Chesapeake

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Atomized Products Group, Inc. (APG), a global provider in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of metal powders and TEXEX® brand battery expanders, will invest $4.3 million to establish an operation in the City of Chesapeake. The company will produce negative battery plate expanders for lead acid battery manufacturers, creating 26 new jobs.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “It is always a pleasure to welcome a company to Virginia, and we are confident that the new Atomized Products Group operation in the City of Chesapeake will enhance the company’s standing as one of the leading suppliers of negative plate expanders in the industry. The proximity to the Port of Virginia was a crucial factor in winning this project due to the import of raw materials needed, as well as the export of APG’s finished product overseas. This new strategic location on the east coast also increases the company’s competitiveness and access to customers.”

“Virginia and the City of Chesapeake are thrilled to gain a new corporate partner in Atomized Products Group,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “The Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure is top-notch, and the company will be able to take advantage of our system to easily reach its global and domestic customers. We welcome APG’s investment and creation of 26 new jobs, and look forward to its future success in Virginia.”

Atomized Products Group, Inc. was incorporated in Georgia in 1996 by Edward and Janet Puckett and operates a metals and battery plate expander production facility at its headquarters in Garland, Texas. APG, Inc. is certified to ISO 9001:2008 quality standards.

“We looked at growing our business in either Texas or Virginia, and chose Virginia,” said Ed Puckett, co-owner. “We were impressed by the enthusiasm we received from Tim Danielson of VEDP, Chris Gullickson of HREDA, and Preston Wilhelm with the City of Chesapeake Economic Development Department, along with Russ Young and Stephanie Allman from Virginia Port Authority. They all worked hard to find the best situation for us. The location we chose in Chesapeake near the Port of Virginia will result in significant cost savings for our global customers and suppliers.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Chesapeake, the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance and The Port of Virginia to secure this project for the Commonwealth. Governor McDonnell approved a $100,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist Chesapeake with the project. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment, training and retraining activities.

“Atomized Products Group’s move to Virginia - and Governor McDonnell's support in the form of a new opportunity grant - is another demonstration of Chesapeake's strengths as a stable community with an exceptional work force and low tax rate,” said Dr. Alan P. Krasnoff, Mayor of the City of Chesapeake. “We're more than a little happy to help APG turn its negative expanders into very strong positives for our City."