|
|
|
Home
>
Business Sectors
>
Plastics Advanced Materials
| |
|
Laura Leigh Savage Project Manager . Business DevelopmentAdvanced Manufacturing Team804-545-5744LLSavage@YesVirginia.org
Virginia's strategic mid-Atlantic location, superior transportation network and competitive operating costs combine to make an ideal location for Plastics & Advanced Materials companies. Virginia is home to more than 200 plastics companies, employing more than 26,000 Virginians. Since 1998, Plastics companies have invested $1.2 billion and created more than 6,100 new jobs in Virginia. Recent major announcements include: Amcor PET Packaging, E. I. DuPont De Nemours & Co. Inc., Essel Propack, Graham Packaging, Intertape Polymer, Klockner Pentaplast, Printpak, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Strongwell and The Matrix Group.
- Film/sheet manufacturers
- Blow molders
- Injection molders
- Pipe/profile manufacturers
- Thermoformers
- Equipment manufacturers
- Plastics material and fiber manufacturers
- Rubber companies
- Ranked fourth in the U.S. in plastics material and
fiber manufacturing employment—more than 7,000 employed
- Ranked fifth in U.S. in film manufacturing employment—more
than 3,000 people employed
|
Major Plastics Employers in Virginia |
DuPont |
Honeywell |
Invista |
Universal Fibers |
Alloy Polymers |
Celanese Acetate |
Klockner Pentaplast |
CP Films |
Reynolds Packaging
Group |
Azdel Composites
and Material Solutions |
Goodyear Tire &
Rubber Co. |
Rubbermaid Inc. |
Trex Company Inc. |
Yokohama Tire |

- Two of the nation's largest railroads, CSX Corporation
and Norfolk Southern Corporation, have extensive infrastructure throughout
the State
- Fourteen railroads operate on more than 3,400 miles
of railway in Virginia, of which more than 3,100 miles are Class I—one
of the strongest rail networks in the nation
- Six major interstate highways, I-95, I-85, I-81, I-64,
I-77 and I-66, provide quick access to Northeast, Southeast and Midwest
markets
- 14 commercial airports serve the Commonwealth, including
two of the nation's largest, Washington Dulles International and Ronald
Reagan Washington National
- The Port of Virginia offers world-class shipping facilities
and a schedule of approximately 3,000 sailings annually to over 250 ports
in 100 foreign countries. The Port is the second largest intermodal intermodal
facility on the East Coast.

- The average cost per unit of electricity for the industrial
sector is 4.63 cents in Virginia, compared to 6.15 cents for the nation
- Virginia manufacturers have one of the lowest average
workers’ compensation costs in the country. At $2.47 per $100 of payroll
in January 2007, it ranks 6th lowest nationally and is 40 percent lower
than the U.S. average.
- Unemployment tax burden that is 40 percent lower than
the national average
- 6 percent corporate income tax rate has not been increased
since 1972
- Right-to-work law allows individuals the right to work
regardless of membership in a labor union or organization
Estimates of unemployment insurance
tax per employee are a product of the average unemployment insurance tax as a
percentage of taxable wages and the taxable wage base. Source: Average Employer
Contribution Rates, By State, CY 2007, Employment and Training Administration,
United States Department of Labor
Net Workers' Compensation insurance
cost for manufacturing industry (per $100 of payroll). States with no data provide
workers' compensation insurance through a state fund. Source: Workers Compensation
State Rankings Manufacturing Industry Rates and Statutory Benefit Provisions,
2007 Edition, Actuarial & Technical Solutions, Inc.
Virginia's nationally acclaimed education system serves as a pipeline, supplying businesses with a steady stream of skilled new entrants. Our attention to education is reflected in Virginia's superior, well-prepared labor force.
- Elementary and secondary schools rank among the best in the nation
- Over 1.2 million students enrolled in elementary and secondary schools with approximately 82,000 graduating annually
- More than 80% of graduating seniors continue their education in a two- or four-year degree program or have other continuing education plans
Strong occupational and technical training programs designed to meet the needs of the Plastics & Advanced Materials industry are provided by Virginia's colleges and universities, Community College System, and communities.
- Virginia Tech is home to Macromolecules and Interfaces
Institute, integrating macromolecular sciences and engineering
- The Virginia Community College System offers High Performance Manufacturing Technicians certifications
- Danville Community College in Southern Virginia offers plastics processing technology certificates and its training center includes an injection molder, extruder, pultruder, and auxiliary equipment for hands-on training
- Dabney S. Lancaster Community College in Western Virginia offers an Advanced Manufacturing and Packaging Technology curriculum
- The Center for High Performance Manufacturing (CHPM)
at Virginia Tech works to help manufacturing firms stay competitive
|
|
|