Easley, Michael. Press Release, 2005-07-14, Gov. Easley Announces $65 Million Expansion By DAK Americas In Brunswick County; One North Carolina Fund Helps Add 40 New Jobs To Local Workforce

Michael F. Easley Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Vanessa Capobianco Date: July 14, 2005 Phone: 919/733-5162 GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES $65 MILLION EXPANSION BY DAK AMERICAS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY One North Carolina Fund Helps Add 40 New Jobs To Local Workforce RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley announced today that DAK Americas LLC, a producer of resins for use in plastic beverage containers and polyester fibers for apparel, home furnishings and industrial uses, will invest $65 million to expand its Cape Fear manufacturing facility in Brunswick County, creating 40 new jobs by the end of next year. The announcement was made possible in part by a $100,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. “DAK Americas’ decision to expand in Brunswick County means 40 good jobs for 40 hard-working North Carolina families,” Easley said. “We will continue to work aggressively to make the economic and education investments necessary to maintain the top-ranked business environment that allows companies such as DAK Americas to continue to grow here.” DAK Americas, fonned in 2001 and headquartered in Charlotte, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the petrochemicals and synthetic fibers business group of Alfa, S.A. de C.V., one of Mexico’s largest corporations with approximately 42,000 employees and revenues of more than $5 billion. The Cape Fear plant, one of three DAK Americas facilities in North Carolina, currently employs 400 workers. The 40 new jobs will be mainly skilled manufacturing positions. The average weekly pay for all jobs at the Cape Fear facility including the new positions will be $680 per week plus benefits, which is substantially higher than the county’s average wage of $497. “We are excited about the opportunities this expansion provides for our customers, employees, Brunswick County and the Wilmington area,” said Hector Camberos, president and chief executive officer of DAK Americas. “The additional resin capacity will allow us to quickly and effectively meet customer demand, while providing a stronger foundation to the existing fibers and monomers business on site.” The One North Carolina Fund assists the state in recruiting and expanding quality jobs by providing financial assistance to businesses or industries deemed by the governor to be vital to a healthy and growing state economy. Since 2001, this Fund has helped create more than 17,000 jobs and bring $2 billion in investment to the state. Governor's Press Office State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001 (919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005 FAX (9 19) 733-5 166