Georg Fischer Central Plastics started construction Tuesday on a second manufacturing plant in Shawnee, a green one, with sustainable design, which it said will create up to 300 full-time jobs.
The $30 million, 150,000-square-foot plant will be at 41401 Wolverine Road, about 4 miles northeast of its present 500,000-square-foot factory at 39605 W Independence Ave., on 40 acres purchased from Shawnee Forward, an economic development nonprofit.
The company said it will seek LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the plant − for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design − for its sustainable design and construction.
Swiss-based GF Central Plastics started in Shawnee 64 years ago
GF Central Plastics now employs more than 500 people who make plastic and metal fittings, and specialty parts mainly for the natural gas industry.
Central Plastics started in Shawnee 64 years ago and remained privately held until sold in 2008 to Swiss-based GF Corp., which operates piping systems, plus automotive and machining divisions worldwide, according to the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology.
Now, GF Central Plastics is North America’s "largest single-source manufacturer of metal and polyethylene pipe joining products in the gas and municipal water utility industry," said James Jackson, Head of Business Unit Americas for GF Piping Systems.
RELATED: Shawnee, OBU, Cole reeling after tornadoes tear across Oklahoma this week
Why GF Central Plastics is building a second factory in Shawnee, Oklahoma
“Our decision to invest in Shawnee reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone in our GF Central Plastics division,” Jackson said in a press release. “Their strong performance has been a critical asset for our company, and we’re proud to give them added room to grow.”
Shawnee Mayor Ed Bolt said, “We appreciate the role of Shawnee Forward in facilitating this major project, and we welcome the added job growth for our vibrant community”.
GF Central Plastics said it will relocate its gas meter fabrication department to the new location, freeing up space at its W Independence Street plant for growth in its plastics manufacturing business. The Wolverine Road site will also have offices, a warehouse, and shipping and receiving.
TAP Architecture in Oklahoma City was the designer in consultation with Entegrity Energy Partners in Little Rock, Arkansas. Alpharetta, Georgia-based Evans General Contractors' Dallas office is leading construction.