WPT Nonwovens Corporation, a manufacturer of nonwovens for the hygiene, medical and industrial markets, announced plans to expand its operations at its Beaver Dam, KY, facility. WPT plans to modernize its facility and add a new production line, which will be used to expand product capacity and meet increasing demand. WPT is expected to create up to 10 new jobs and invest $500,000 into the project.
 
The expansion is expected to begin this month with the new production line becoming fully operation early next year.
 
“We’re excited for the opportunity to grow our family business in this community,” says Travis Robbins, WPT’s plant manager. “We employ 60 of the best Kentuckians in the state and plan to hire 10 more with the support and dedication of our customers and state and local governments, especially the staff in the economic development office who’s been an intricate part of this process. We’re thrilled to be a part of the Ohio County community and are thankful for the dedication and loyalty our employees put forth on a daily basis. This growth wouldn’t be possible without them.”
 
WPT started operations in Beaver Dam in 2008 with 15 employees. Production for the first three years focused primarily in the medical and personal hygiene sectors. In 2011, the company also started manufacturing textiles for the industrial sector. Today, the operation has more than 50 full-time workers.
 
To encourage the investment and job creation, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $120,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.