Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Plastic Express, a leader in the plastic resins industry, will expand operations with two new manufacturing facilities creating 166 new jobs and investing more than $172 million at the Port Logistics Center in Pooler. Governor Kemp joined company leadership including representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Savannah Economic Development Authority, Georgia Ports Authority, and more to celebrate this announcement at the Port of Savannah.

“We are excited that Plastic Express chose to expand their operations here in Georgia,” said Governor Kemp. “The company’s impact will not only be felt in terms of job creation and investment, but they will be one of the top five export customers for the Georgia Ports Authority.”

Headquartered in Industry, California, Plastic Express has trucking terminals, warehouse facilities, transloading docks, and packaging plants across the country, including a bulk transload facility in Dalton, Georgia. The company plans to be in the new facility by October 1, 2019.

“We are very happy to plant our flag in Savannah,” said Ray Hufnagel, Plastic Express President and CEO. “Plastic Express has been searching for a strategic opportunity in every viable port location in the Southeast for a few years. The impressiveness of the Port of Savannah’s operations along with Georgia’s welcoming business climate has made Savannah the clear and obvious choice for us.”

“Today, along with our partners in economic development, we are excited to welcome Plastic Express to Savannah,” said Trip Tollison, Savannah Economic Development Authority President and CEO. “The impact that these high-wage advanced manufacturing jobs will have on our region is tremendous not to mention the more than $172 million in investment. Plastic Express’ impact will be felt for years to come. We look forward to a long relationship and watching them grow in Savannah.”

“This is a game-changer and makes Georgia a leader in the Southeast for the export of resins,” said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch. “With growth accelerating in the American energy sector, Gulf-area refineries will require alternate export capacity, and the Port of Savannah stands ready to serve that need.”

Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Project Manager Hank Evans represented the Global Commerce Division in partnership with the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), Georgia Power, Quick Start, and Genesee & Wyoming’s Georgia Central Railway.

“Plastic Express is a fantastic win for our state,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Georgia’s logistics infrastructure is one of the state’s greatest economic development assets and plays a critical role in creating jobs and investment opportunities in Georgia. Congratulations to all of our economic development partners who were involved in locating this competitive project.”