Area Development
China-based U-Play Corporation, a contract manufacturer of disposable sanitary products, will establish a manufacturing plant in Wayne County, North Carolina. The company will create 88 new jobs during the next four years.

The company will invest nearly $21.3 million at a location near the Town of Mount Olive in what will be U-Play’s first-ever U.S. location. U-Play Corporation will hire management, craftsmen, and sales staff. The company’s annual payroll impact will add more than $2.75 million to the local economy.

“North Carolina is a fantastic place for our business because of its cluster of raw-material suppliers, well-trained workforce and business-friendly environment,” said Hancy Cheng, U-Play Corporation’s CEO. “We want to put together all these advantages to create a manufacturing hub for our company to better serve our U.S. customers.”

U-Play Corporation’s arrival in North Carolina was facilitated in part by a performance-based grant of up to $200,000 from the One North Carolina Fund. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance in support of local governments in creating jobs and attracting economic investment. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants are contingent upon a local government match.

“The arrival of U-Play Corporation is further evidence that the world is bullish on North Carolina,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III. “Our state has ready infrastructure and excellent multi-modal transportation along with well-trained workers and a world-class business climate. Nothing compares to North Carolina as a destination for foreign direct investment.”

“North Carolina’s leadership in non-woven fabric manufacturing is bringing great jobs and investment dollars to Wayne County,” said Governor Pat McCrory. “U-Play Corporation will tap into our state’s unique base of skills and expertise to provide a line of products that are in growing demand in the U.S. and abroad.”

In addition to North Carolina Commerce and EDPNC, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, N.C. Revenue, Wayne County, the Wayne County Development Alliance and the Town of Mount Olive.