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Governor Bob McDonnell announced recently that Applied Felts, the world’s largest independent manufacturer of quality felt liners for the cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) industry, will invest $6 million to expand its operation in Henry County. The project will create 40 new jobs.
Speaking about the announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Applied Felts is a true Virginia success story. The company established operations in Henry County nearly 15 years ago with nine people, and now employs 128 full-time. This investment and expansion creates 40 more valuable employment opportunities in a dynamic region that is on the rebound economically.”
“Henry County and the surrounding region are on a great upward trajectory,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Just last week the Governor announced 539 new jobs for Henry County, and today brings great news of another 40 jobs. Applied Felts has experienced significant success and growth at this location, and I congratulate the company on further expansion.”
As the world’s leading felt liner manufacturer, Applied Felts, a subsidiary of U.K.-based W.E. Rawson Group, has successfully relined more than 35 million linear feet of pipe using the CIPP rehabilitation process. Offering complete end-to-end custom manufacturing capabilities and products that are ISO-9002 certified, Applied Felts has more than three decades of expertise in the industry and is dedicated to ensuring its liners seamlessly integrate into customers’ CIPP process. From the selection of the finest fibers and coatings to the finished product, every Applied Felts liner is custom-designed to meet exact specifications.
“With the rapid deterioration of our country’s underground storm drain and sewer system infrastructure, the demand for rehabilitation processes that are cost-effective and cause minimal disruption to our citizens bodes well for the continued growth of our company,” said Charlie Mattox, General Manager for Applied Felts. “As the leading supplier of CIPP products in the U.S., this expansion will insure our competitive edge is maintained within our industry.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Henry County and the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation to secure the project for Virginia. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $175,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The company is eligible to receive benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment and training activities.
“Applied Felts is an old friend that just keeps getting better,” said Debra Buchanan, Chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. “Its growth in the past 15 years is remarkable, and we look forward to even more success down the road. The success of Applied Felts is a perfect example of what can be accomplished in Henry County.”
“I’m glad that the Commission was able to work with Governor McDonnell and VEDP to bring this expansion to our community,” said Senator Roscoe Reynolds, a Commissioner of The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. “Investments made by the Commission continue to provide job opportunities in Southside and Southwest Virginia, where the jobs are badly needed.”
