News & Press
- PROVIDENCIA USA RE-AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO STATESVILLE
- 12/03/2009
In an address to community leaders and the media at the Statesville Civic Center, Hermínio Freitas, CEO of Brazilian-based nonwoven fabrics manufacturer Companhia Providência Industria e Comercio, today re-affirmed his company’s commitment to building its first North American manufacturing facility at a site in Statesville, North Carolina, and announced construction would begin immediately, with an official groundbreaking ceremony planned for early next year.Providência USA first announced plans for the new plant -- which will be situated on 43 acres at the West Industrial Park north of I-40 -- in September of 2008, with the expectation it would be completed and in operation by mid-2009. The project, however, was delayed by the onset of the global economic downturn in the months following the announcement.In his comments today, Mr. Freitas expressed confidence in the rebound of the North American economy and indicated that the time is now right to increase production capacity for this market. “This announcement further underscores the company’s plans for expansion. For some time now we have been examining the company’s structure and consequently its capacity; but with the world financial crisis we had put new investments on hold. In the past few quarters, we have noticed the increase in demand and the resumption of this project will be instrumental in meeting this need, increasing our production capacity to 100 thousand tons per year.”The announcement was greeted enthusiastically by community leaders:“At the revised investment and jobs levels, Providência USA still represents the largest new capital project in Statesville in more than a decade. We certainly understand and are sympathetic to the economic conditions that lead to delaying the start of construction and the changes in capital investment. We are happy that the company never lost confidence that Statesville was the right place and continued to work with us to find the right time,” said Greater Statesville Development Corporation Chairman Bill Leach. “This announcement, on top of two recent business expansion announcements, are signs of an improving local economy.”Godfrey Williams, Chairman of the Iredell County Board of Commissioners echoed Leach’s sentiment; “Given the recent uptick in unemployment figures county-wide, these new, high-paying jobs will be essential. Hopefully, Providência will begin a new season of industrial announcements that will help put the unemployed of Iredell County back to work.”With this announcement, Providência brings its 46 year track record of quality products and respect for customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders to the Greater Statesville business community, a point of emphasis for Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh, “We have continued to work diligently with Providência and others during these tough times. We are glad that this great company has made its decision to be a part of the Statesville family. The jobs and investment Providência is bringing will provide a tremendous boost to our economy and remind the entire world that Statesville is open for business.”The Greater Statesville Development Corporation would like to recognize the following partners in this significant announcement for our community: the City of Statesville, Iredell County, PSNC Energy, ElectriCities of North Carolina, EnergyUnited, the NC Department of Commerce, the NC Community College System, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Alexander Railroad, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the One North Carolina Fund and the Greater Statesville Area Committee of 100.
G.L. Wilson Building is the general contractor for the project.
You may send inquiries to:Gene Konczal, General ManagerProvidencia USA, Inc.PO Box 1186Statesville, NC 28687genek@providencia.com.br
About ProvidênciaFounded in 1963, Companhia Providência is a leading company in the manufacture and commercialization of nonwovens in Brazil, with strong penetration in Latin American and the United States markets. Thanks to its economic stability and track record of 46 years, Providência prides itself on the quality of its products and the respect for customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders.
About Statesville, North CarolinaStatesville is a city of 26,074 located in the central Piedmont region of North Carolina, 38 miles north of Charlotte, 39 miles west of Winston-Salem and 135 miles west of Raleigh. Originally settled in 1753, Statesville is a major manufacturing and distribution center, drawing on its location at the intersection of two of the nation’s busiest interstate highways, and its proximity to major “New South” cities such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh. Key industries include metalworking, plastics, automotive parts, textiles and furniture.
115 East Front Street, Statesville, NC 28677
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