Home » News » Business
September 27. 2012 12:36AM
CEO says Foss is committed to workers in NH
HAMPTON — The decision by Foss Manufacturing to expand in Georgia is no knock on New Hampshire, according to company CEO A.J. Nassar.
Officials in the Peach State announced Tuesday that the Hampton-based manufacturer of specialty non-woven fibers would invest $15 million to revive a dormant manufacturing and distribution operation in Rome, creating 150 new jobs in the first three years of operation.
Foss followed with its own news release Wednesday. “We remain committed to New Hampshire,” Nassar said in a telephone interview. “This is our home base.”
The company invested $5 million in new production capacity that went online in March, and has added 60 new employees since January. Two other production lines at a cost of $3 million will be operating by November. That investment will add another 50 to 60 jobs in Hampton in the next six months, he said, in addition to the new jobs associated with the Georgia business.
The company currently employs about 400 workers.
Nassar said the expansion into Georgia was driven by new customers in the Southeast who demanded quick shipping times.
“There are specific customers that we do business with who mandate we ship out of that region,” he said. “If we wanted the business, we had to have a location down there.”
The company already had a location in Calhoun, Ga., and was offered expansion incentives that included attractive energy pricing and tax breaks.
Nassar said the expansion is good news for New Hampshire as well, since the accounting, human resources and customer service support for the new Georgia business will add 30 to 40 jobs at the Hampton headquarters.
Nassar said orders for work out of the Hampton plant are up 25 percent over last year.
“Much of this growth is being driven by our talented research and development team located in Hampton,” he said. “Over the next 12 months we will be introducing new products and technologies enabling us to expand manufacturing and add employees throughout the company.”
He credited state development officials for helping the company, which was purchased out of bankruptcy in 2006. “These guys have been great to us up here,” he said. “The BFA (Business Finance Authority) has been fabulous. They have helped finance many projects.”
Foss manufactures specialty fibers, largely through the use of recycled beverage bottles as raw material. “We’re doing a lot in the sustainable area,” Nassar said.
One example is a product called Clean Stream. Foss sells carpeting to convention centers that is installed, removed and reused. “We basically say, ‘You buy it from us, and when you’re done, we’ll pick it up, recycle it back into fiber and your next load will be from that same fiber. It’s a good corporate choice for convention centers and has a price advantage, too.”
The company’s customers include Home Depot for carpeting, New Balance for shoe material, and GM and Ford for automotive interiors.
Dave Solomon may be reached at dsolomon@unionleader.com.
Officials in the Peach State announced Tuesday that the Hampton-based manufacturer of specialty non-woven fibers would invest $15 million to revive a dormant manufacturing and distribution operation in Rome, creating 150 new jobs in the first three years of operation.
Foss followed with its own news release Wednesday. “We remain committed to New Hampshire,” Nassar said in a telephone interview. “This is our home base.”
The company invested $5 million in new production capacity that went online in March, and has added 60 new employees since January. Two other production lines at a cost of $3 million will be operating by November. That investment will add another 50 to 60 jobs in Hampton in the next six months, he said, in addition to the new jobs associated with the Georgia business.
The company currently employs about 400 workers.
Nassar said the expansion into Georgia was driven by new customers in the Southeast who demanded quick shipping times.
“There are specific customers that we do business with who mandate we ship out of that region,” he said. “If we wanted the business, we had to have a location down there.”
The company already had a location in Calhoun, Ga., and was offered expansion incentives that included attractive energy pricing and tax breaks.
Nassar said the expansion is good news for New Hampshire as well, since the accounting, human resources and customer service support for the new Georgia business will add 30 to 40 jobs at the Hampton headquarters.
Nassar said orders for work out of the Hampton plant are up 25 percent over last year.
“Much of this growth is being driven by our talented research and development team located in Hampton,” he said. “Over the next 12 months we will be introducing new products and technologies enabling us to expand manufacturing and add employees throughout the company.”
He credited state development officials for helping the company, which was purchased out of bankruptcy in 2006. “These guys have been great to us up here,” he said. “The BFA (Business Finance Authority) has been fabulous. They have helped finance many projects.”
Foss manufactures specialty fibers, largely through the use of recycled beverage bottles as raw material. “We’re doing a lot in the sustainable area,” Nassar said.
One example is a product called Clean Stream. Foss sells carpeting to convention centers that is installed, removed and reused. “We basically say, ‘You buy it from us, and when you’re done, we’ll pick it up, recycle it back into fiber and your next load will be from that same fiber. It’s a good corporate choice for convention centers and has a price advantage, too.”
The company’s customers include Home Depot for carpeting, New Balance for shoe material, and GM and Ford for automotive interiors.
- - - - - - - -
Dave Solomon may be reached at dsolomon@unionleader.com.
Subscribe for FREE!
Union Leader Business Newsletter
» SHARE EVENTS FOR PUBLICATION, IT'S FREE!
Upcoming Events
Sorry, no question available