Indiana-based Spartech expanding food packaging plant in Muncie with US$19.2M investment to add more extrusion, thermoforming lines; partial funding to come from state, local economic alliance to aid with taxes, hiring, training costs of 32 new jobs

Kathryn Mackenzie

ST. LOUIS , June 7, 2012 (press release) – Spartech, a leading producer of plastic sheet, compounds and packaging products, today announced its plans for an expansion of its packaging facility in Muncie, Ind. Upon completion of the project, Spartech will have added 32 jobs at its Muncie plant. The announcement was made at an on-site event that featured Muncie's Mayor Dennis Tyler and Spartech's Senior Vice President of Packaging Technologies, Carol O'Neill.

"Spartech's investment shows their commitment to Muncie. The company is providing the high quality manufacturing & related jobs with benefits that every community wants. I am very excited they have chosen Muncie for this expansion," said Dennis Tyler, Muncie Mayor.

The Muncie plant, which was just one of several facilities Spartech considered for the upgrades, has been a part of the Muncie community since 1984 when it opened as part of Ball Plastics. Purchased by Spartech in May of 1999, the plant currently employs 120 people and manufactures primarily food packaging products in the form of rollstock for form/fill/seal applications as well as thermoformed containers, serving customers like ConAgra Foods, Snack Pack pudding, and Knouse Foods Musselman's applesauce amongst many other leading brands.

"The Muncie team really are leaders," said Carol O'Neill, Senior Vice President, Spartech Packaging Technologies during an event announcing the expansion. "Honestly, this team, their initiative, their work ethic, their creativity, the way they work as a team to create a safer workplace for each other and to support the goals of the company and the goals of our customers, all make this a team I'm incredibly proud of, and therefore really excited that we were able to bring this expansion to Muncie."

The proposed expansion will add approximately 60,000 square feet, enabling the installation of two new extrusion lines as well as several new thermoforming lines needed for Spartech to support the growing demands of its customers.

"The Muncie plant has been an exemplar plant for Spartech for years so I'm excited about the new resources this investment will bring to our employees, customers and the local community," said Vicki Holt, Spartech's President and CEO. This expansion gives Spartech the opportunity to delight its customers and invest back into the Muncie community.

The 32 jobs to be added will be a mix of production operators, technicians and engineers. Spartech plans to hold a job fair in Muncie this July in an effort to fill the newly-created positions. Four positions will be added in 2012 with 28 more coming in 2013.

"[The new employees] will become part of a team that's known for its safety, for its first-class quality and for taking care of our customers," said Greg Bauer, plant manager at the Spartech Muncie facility. "But the one trait I'm most proud of is the sense of charity and giving that this group, which works behind me, has. Adopting families during the Christmas season, supporting various food pantries, adopting an overlook on the White River are just a few examples of what I call a wonderful culture of caring."

The expansion is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 1 when Spartech will host an open house, inviting customers, employees and their families and local community members to tour the new facility.

The Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance is working with local government leaders to assist the company with a $2.4 million tax increment financing bond. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has committed $75,000 in training funds and $235,000 in Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credits.

About Spartech Corporation

Spartech Corporation is a leading producer of plastic products including polymeric compounds, concentrates, custom extruded sheet and rollstock products and packaging technologies for a wide spectrum of customers. The Company's three business segments, which operate 33 facilities in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and France, annually process approximately one billion pounds of plastic resins, specialty plastic alloys, and color and specialty compounds. 

About the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance

The Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance (EDA) represents a consortium of economic development entities dedicated to the growth and prosperity of Muncie-Delaware County, Indiana. The EDA allocates and leverages economic development resources to sustain and enhance the economic growth, vitality and global competitiveness of Muncie-Delaware County as a superior business location. The EDA's administrative entities are Delaware Advancement Corporation and the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. 

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