DAK Americas Expanding Operations in Hancock County

Hancock County, Mississippi — August 28, 2015 — Governor Phil Bryant and officials from DAK Americas announced Thursday evening the company is expanding its Hancock County operations at Port Bienville with the construction of manufacturing facilities to produce 230 million pounds per year of Polyester Staple Fibers. The multi-million dollar investment will create 86 new full-service jobs. The new jobs will bring the number of full-service DAK employees at the site to 239.
DAK’s Pearl River site currently manufactures polyethylene terephthalate resins, or PET resins, which are primarily used to produce plastic bottles. These resin operations will continue and fiber-manufacturing operations will be installed to supply both textile and nonwoven fiber markets.  In September 2011, DAK Americas purchased the former Wellman PET resin manufacturing facility at Port Bienville. The acquisition positioned the company as the largest PET resin manufacturer in North America.
“The announcement that DAK Americas has chosen to expand its presence in Hancock County by constructing a new facility and creating so many jobs for the area’s workforce is wonderful for the Gulf Coast region and the entire state. This news also comes at a time when we are gathered to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the great strides that have been made in that time to rebuild and renew Gulf Coast communities,” Governor Bryant said. “DAK’s expansion is a strong testament to the fact that the Coast continues to thrive, and I look forward to continuing that momentum well into the future. I thank the DAK team for its continued confidence in our business environment and wish the company many more years of success in Bay St. Louis.”
“DAK is proud of the resilient and dedicated workforce at its Pearl River site and excited to expand employment opportunities with the expansion into fiber production.  With a high quality workforce and considerable infrastructure currently in place at our Pearl River Site, DAK has a unique opportunity to grow its fiber manufacturing capabilities and meet customer demands,” said DAK Americas President and CEO Jorge Young. “Furthermore, the new fiber facility in Hancock County geographically strengthens DAK’s ability to supply PSF across the Americas with a second U.S. fiber manufacturing location, as well as, places DAK in a good position to service the growing Mexico fiber market. We truly appreciate all the efforts from Governor Bryant, the Mississippi Development Authority, Hancock County and the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission to help bring this project to Hancock County.”
The project is expected to begin in the second half of 2016. The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the project for building renovations and workforce training. Hancock County assisted with the project, as well.
“MDA salutes the teams at Hancock County and the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission for their leadership and hard work which, in partnership with MDA, cultivates economic and career opportunities for Mississippians in Hancock County,” said MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough. “MDA is proud to partner with this great company as it expands and further strengthens the local community and economy.”
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., DAK Americas is a subsidiary of Alpek S.A.B. de C.V., a business group of Alfa S.A.B. de C.V., one of Mexico’s largest global industrial companies. DAK has five business units and operates seven production facilities across the Americas. The company has more than 1,600 full-service employees throughout its locations, as well as an array of contract partners. For more information, visit www.dakamericas.com.