Posted August 2, 2016
RALEIGH, N.C. – China-based U-Play Corporation will establish a nonwovens manufacturing plant in Mount Olive, N.C., where it will create 88 new jobs during the next four years, N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory, N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina announced today.
The Chinese company will invest nearly $21.3 million at the Wayne County location in what will be U-Play’s first-ever U.S. location, according to a release.
U-Play Corporation is a contract manufacturer of disposable sanitary products such as adult incontinence products, wet wipes and puppy training pads. Founded in 2006, the publicly held company is based in China’s Anhui Province and employs a total workforce of 310 people. Its products are exported to 40 countries.
Wayne County, N.C. opening
“North Carolina’s leadership in nonwoven fabric manufacturing is bringing great jobs and investment dollars to Wayne County,” said Gov. McCrory. “U-Play Corporation will tap into our state’s unique base of skills and expertise to provide a line of products that are in growing demand in the U.S. and abroad.”
U-Play Corporation will hire management, craftsmen and sales staff. The company’s annual payroll impact will add more than $2.75 million to the local economy.
“North Carolina is a fantastic place for our business because of its cluster of raw-material suppliers, well-trained workforce and business-friendly environment,” said Hancy Cheng, U-Play Corporation’s CEO. “We want to put together all these advantages to create a manufacturing hub for our company to better serve our U.S. customers.”
U-Play Corporation’s arrival in North Carolina was facilitated in part by a performance-based grant of up to $200,000 from the One North Carolina Fund. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance in support of local governments in creating jobs and attracting economic investment. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants are contingent upon a local government match.
“The arrival of U-Play Corporation is further evidence that the world is bullish on North Carolina,” said Secretary Skvarla. “Our state has ready infrastructure and excellent multi-modal transportation along with well-trained workers and a world-class business climate. Nothing compares to North Carolina as a destination for foreign direct investment.”
Since Gov. McCrory entered office, North Carolina has added more than 300,000 jobs, according to the N.C. Dept. of Commerce.
In addition to North Carolina Commerce and EDPNC, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, N.C. Revenue, Wayne County, the Wayne County Development Alliance and the Town of Mount Olive.
Source: N.C. Dept. of Commerce