Polywood, a manufacturer of outdoor furniture made from recycled plastics, will create 384 jobs over five years in Person County, Gov. Roy Cooper announced. The company will invest $35.3 million to open a manufacturing and distribution center in Roxboro.

“Bringing good jobs to rural communities like Person County is essential to helping all of North Carolina thrive,” said Cooper. “Innovative companies like Polywood show how North Carolina’s furniture industry can continue to adapt and succeed, thanks to our strong workforce.”

The company manufactures low-maintenance, recyclable lumber from plastics and is a premier wood alternative in outdoor furniture. The company developed state-of-the-art technology and lean manufacturing processes that minimize waste and ensure products are built to order with next day shipping. Polywood was founded by Doug Rassi and Mark Phillabaum in 1990 with the idea of taking milk jugs and recycling them into plastic lumber furniture.  The company is headquartered in Indiana.

“We are excited about opening our new full scale production campus in North Carolina,” said CEO Rassi. “The skilled manufacturing workforce, high level of information technology and growth potential in the state make it an excellent choice for our expansion. We look forward to building long term relationships in both the local community of Roxboro and the state.”

The NC Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. (EDPNC) led the state’s support for the company’s expansion.

Polywood will open a full manufacturing and distribution center for outdoor furniture. The site will also house a reclamation center for all types of recycled plastics. These materials will be processed and reused in on-site manufacturing and sold to others using recycled plastics.

Salaries of the additional jobs will vary by position. Once all positions are filled, the total payroll impact is expected to be $14.2 million, and average salaries will be above the Person County average of $38,875.

“Manufacturers continue to choose North Carolina because of our experienced workforce, strong infrastructure and favorable business climate,” said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland. “Polywood is a welcome addition to Person County and to North Carolina’s furniture manufacturing industry.”

Polywood’s expansion in Person County will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee.

Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project will grow the state’s economy by an estimated $439 million. Using a formula that considers the new tax revenues generated by the new jobs, the agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $3.33 million, spread over 12 years. State payments only occur following performance verification by the departments of Commerce and Revenue that the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets.