Georgia-Pacific invests US$100M into Kentucky Dixie plant

May 24, 2019 – Georgia-Pacific is investing US$100 million in its Bowling Green, Kentucky facility, which produces paper products for its Dixie business.

Originally built in 1991, the plant has seen several expansions in its more than 25 years in operation. Production at the facility represents about one quarter of all paper plates and bowls produced by Georgia‐Pacific. This latest expansion will include a new 80,000-sq.-ft. building, the installation of a new printer and several new plate-forming presses. They will also be adding new dock doors with a new driveway with increased on-site truck trailer storage.

“This expansion will help us continue meeting the needs of our customers as demand continues to grow for high-quality, durable paper plates and bowls,” says Erik Sjogren, vice-president and general manager of livingware at Georgia‐Pacific. “We believe this expansion will also position our Bowling Green Dixie facility to remain competitive in the market and in the local community for the long‐term.”

Aside from the increased availability of products and physical changes to the facility, the project will create more than 50 full-time jobs increasing total employment at the plant to about 200 people. With two facilities in Kentucky, Bowling Green and Lexington, Georgia‐Pacific directly employs nearly 500 people and has created 890 additional indirect jobs paying US$28 million in direct wages and benefits. Since 2013, the company has invested $66 million in state operations.

“We are excited to expand production at Bowling Green,” says Jimmy Lindsay, plant director at the Bowling Green Dixie production facility. “This is a great plant with an excellent safety record, modern facilities and a highly-skilled and qualified workforce. This investment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our workforce to continuously create value for our customers and the community.”

The plant will continue to operate at full capacity during construction, which has already begun and is expected to be finished the first half of 2020.