BEAVER, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Klöckner Pentaplast, kp, a global leader in recycled content products and high-barrier protective packaging, has awarded its production facility in Raleigh County as its 2020 Plant of the Year for productivity. The company said winners of these awards within kp are not only the best in their group of 31 factories across the world, but also can be considered best in class for the industry.
Alan Richards, Chief Operations Officer of kp said, “We follow rigorous evaluation criteria in selecting award winners, including specific key indicators that are used to measure performance and factors such as the length of time a factory has been performing at this level. This is an outstanding achievement for our operations team at the Beaver facility and we’re very proud of them.”
Jina Belcher, executive director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA), congratulated local and global company officials on their commitment to southern West Virginia growth and excellence in operations. “NRGRDA enjoys working with best of class companies like Klöckner Pentaplast to help them do what they do best. We applaud the Raleigh County facility for its success, which is a source of pride for all of southern West Virginia.”
The company established its facility in Beaver in 2000. On Nov. 16, 2020, company officials joined with West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, state economic development leaders, the Raleigh County Commission and NRGRDA officials to announce an expansion of the Beaver operations and hiring of 21 additional employees.
The facility recently underwent a multi-million-dollar production expansion, adding thermoforming capabilities to further grow their sustainable food tray offer for the North American market and creating a significant number of new jobs. Richards said kp has ambitious future development plans for the site, which they look forward to working on in partnership with local government and economic development support.
Klöckner Pentaplast’s broad portfolio of packaging and product films and services are used in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries as well as sustainable food packaging and consumer goods. The company’s packaging protects product integrity and brand reputation while assuring safety and consumer health. With global sales exceeding $2 billion, the company is also a leader in sustainability and partners with retailers, recyclers, and other groups to eliminate plastic waste and pollution.