American Fuji Seal Inc, part of Japan’s Fuji Seal International, will establish new production operations in Catawba County that will employ up to 101 workers by 2025, Governor Roy Cooper announced. The packaging solutions provider plans to invest $52 million at its new site in Hickory.
“Today’s announcement by American Fuji Seal underscores how confident global companies are in North Carolina and its economy,” Governor Cooper said. “Along with other assets and amenities, our exceptional workforce offers them an advantage few states can rival.”
American Fuji Seal is a leading maker of shrink-sleeve labels, self-adhesive labels, spouted pouches and packaging machinery sold in the U.S. and other countries. American Fuji Seal is a group company of publicly-held Fuji Seal International, which is headquartered in Osaka, Japan and traces its roots to its 1897 founding as Fujio Seisakusho. Fuji Seal International’s worldwide workforce currently totals more than 5,700.
"American Fuji Seal Inc. is pleased to announce the expansion of our current North American operations by building a state-of-the-art facility in North Carolina, with a focus on a safe working environment and environmental stewardship,” said company President Akikazu Yada. “The expansion will further enhance our position in the market as a total packaging solutions provider and the global leader in Shrink Sleeve Labels. I would like to express gratitude for the support of various levels of local and state government for our project. We look forward to the future and success with all our partners and the surrounding community for years to come.”
New positions at American Fuji Seal’s Catawba County facility will include press operators, product engineers, quality control specialists, graphic artists, management staff, and other personnel. Annual salaries will average $48,744 in total cash compensation, creating a payroll impact of nearly $5 million per year for the region.
“Advanced manufacturers like American Fuji Seal find opportunity in North Carolina due to our talent, infrastructure, affordability and access to growing markets,” said Commerce Secretary Anthony Copeland. “Quality companies also appreciate our modern, ready-to-go industrial properties, which are the result of sound planning and investment by local leaders over the course of years.”
A Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) worth a potential $765,000 to the company helped facilitate today's decision. Over the 12-year term of the grant, the project is estimated to grow North Carolina’s GDP by nearly $169 million.
American Fuji’s JDIG agreement also could move as much as $85,000 into the state’s Industrial Development Fund - Utility Account to help finance infrastructure upgrades in more economically challenged areas of the state in order to attract new jobs and businesses.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce worked closely with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina in a collaborative effort to facilitate American Fuji Seal’s selection of Catawba County. Other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Catawba County, Catawba Valley Community College, the City of Hickory, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, and Duke Energy.