Harkness Screens will begin manufacturing large high-performance coated 2D and 3D cinema screens in EastPark Commerce Center in Botetourt County, Virginia.

The company, which is relocating manufacturing from Fredericksburg, Virginia, as part of a multi-million dollar investment, will employ up to 50 people in the first phase with significant expansion potential.

“With the conversion of cinemas to luxury formats, we are seeing an increased demand for similar upgrades to the screen, to ensure that it too is part of the new enhanced movie experience for consumers,” said Mark Ashcroft, Global CEO of Harkness Screens.

“After listening carefully to our customers about their needs in the coming years we have shaped the new factory to not only meet that increasing screen demand but also to be able to best deploy exciting new coating technologies under development that will further optimize screens for 2D and 3D presentation as well as supporting emerging projection and sound technologies,” he added.

The new 100,000 square foot facility increases capacity five-fold and is equipped with the proprietary Harkness Digital Perforation process for superior 4K and laser image quality and enhanced audio transmission.

“We are pleased to welcome another company to Botetourt County that is a leader in its industry,” said Todd Dodson, Vice-Chairman of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors.

The company worked with Botetourt County and the Roanoke Regional Partnership in its search process. “The community of international companies continues to expand in the region,” said Beth Doughty, executive Director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership.