Graham Packaging Company Announces Groundbreaking of New Plant in Bowling Green

Bowling Green, Kentucky, Aug. 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Graham Packaging Company, along with their customer Sun Products, and Lt. Governor Crit Luallen, community leaders and the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, celebrated the groundbreaking of their new plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky's South Central Kentucky Industrial Park.  

Graham, a manufacturer and designer of blow-molded plastic containers, plans to create up to 68 new jobs, with an investment of $22 million over the life of the project.  Additionally, private development of the building totaling $9.5 million brings the total investment to $31.5 million. The opportunity for a new facility was created by Sun Products, a leading manufacturer and marketer of fabric and dish care products and one of the city's largest employers of choice. The land for the development was provided by Sun Products and all the blow-molded plastic containers manufactured at Graham's new plant will be supplied solely to Sun Products. Sun Products has been part of the community for over 20 years, growing its business and presence in Bowling Green, and now employing close to 1,000 individuals.

"Today's announcement is a demonstration that Graham Packaging continues to build on its growth as a leading global manufacturer in its field," said Gov. Beshear. "We've worked hard with our community partners to make Kentucky attractive to businesses, and that work is paying off. I'm proud of new jobs and the investment here.  This is a tremendous day for the Commonwealth, for Bowling Green, for Sun Products and for Graham."

Graham plans to construct a 245,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the South Central Kentucky Industrial Park, as well as purchase new molding equipment. The company expects to be operational by early next year.

Graham already has a strong Kentucky presence with three current facilities, one in Lexington and two in Florence. They employ a combined 230 people in the state.

 "The Graham Packaging team is very excited about joining the Bowling Green community" said Graham Packaging Company CEO, Malcolm Bundey.  "We are very impressed with the quality of the workforce and sincerely appreciate the support from the citizens of Kentucky, and especially right here in Warren County, to make it possible for us to locate and grow here.  We are grateful to Sun Products for their long term partnership with us, and for creating this opportunity in Bowling Green. We look forward to supporting their production of quality laundry products, and participating in the Bowling Green community for many years to come."

"The success of this project is a tribute to working together, with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Bowling Green Chamber, our business partner Graham Packaging, and our Bowling Green associates, to deliver results that benefit the local economy and community, and that support our company's mission and vision for growth", added Jeff Ansell, CEO Sun Products.

Founded in 1970, Graham Packaging operates over 90 plants across the world and is a world-wide leader in the design and manufacture of customer, rigid plastic packaging, serving the world's finest brands across the food, beverage, household care, automotive and personal care markets.  Many of the products you use in your household everyday are in Graham Packaging containers.  In addition to a history of innovation, Graham leads a number of initiatives to provide environmentally sustainable containers, including plant-based ingredients as well as use of recycled plastics.   

"Graham Packaging is a world leader in their field, and we're pleased to be a part of their growth. I'm thrilled to see a partner of one of our longtime industries, Sun Products, come to our county, and I look forward to their continued success," said Warren County Judge Executive Michael Buchanon.

"It's not the number of companies in a community that make a location a success; it is the quality of businesses that thrive there," stated Mayor Bruce Wilkerson. "Graham Packaging exemplifies a company that has garnered not only the community's respect, but the respect of industry leaders around the world. Their presence will foster new growth and give other area businesses another partner in success."

Graham Packaging's commitment to superior business and employee ethics is unparalleled. Among their recent accolades are DuPont Gold & Silver Awards, the 2013 DuPont Silver Anniversary Continuing Innovation Award, numerous AmeriStar & Worldstar Awards, Exceeding Customer Expectations - "Reaching Beyond Award", and the Silver New Packaging Visionary Award.

According to Chamber Board President Tommy Adams, "We are delighted to have a world-class company like Graham Packaging locate in Bowling Green, and are grateful for the continued presence and growth of Sun Products that made this opportunity possible.  We welcome Graham to the area and we look forward to working with them as they continue to grow."

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is poised to have another record-setting year in economic development. To date, announced projects will bring a total capital investment of $795,708,238 and 715 new jobs in South Central Kentucky in 2015.    

For more information on Graham Packaging, visit www.grahampackaging.com.

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About Graham Packaging:

Graham Packaging GRM is a leading U.S. supplier of plastic containers for hot-fill juice and juice drinks, sports drinks, drinkable yogurt and smoothies, nutritional supplements, wide-mouth food, dressings, condiments and beers; the leading global supplier of plastic containers for yogurt drinks; a leading supplier of plastic containers for liquid fabric care products, dish care products and hard-surface cleaners; and the leading supplier in the U.S., Canada and Brazil of one-quart/liter plastic motor oil containers.

About Sun Products:

The Sun Products Corporation, headquartered in Wilton, Connecticut, is a leading North American provider of laundry detergent, fabric softeners and other household products. With annual net sales of approximately $1.6 billion, the Company's portfolio of products are sold under well-known brands that include all®, Snuggle®, Wisk®, Sun®, Surf®, and Sunlight®. In addition, Sun Products is the manufacturing partner for many retailer brand laundry and dish products in North America. For more information visit: www.sunproductscorp.com.

About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce:

Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2009 Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,200 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.