Area Development
First Quality Tissue plans to build an additional tissue/towel manufacturing facility, costing $1 billion, that will feature a state-of-the-art Thru-Air-Dried (TAD) technology tissue machine and a complete line of converting equipment in South Carolina.

The new plant will significantly expand capacity and create a total of 1,000 new jobs. The company hopes to have the facility operational in 2011.

First Quality currently operates two TAD tissue facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 150,000 tons per year; and the new TAD machine will add additional capacity in excess of 70,000 tons per year.

The project was first announced in July 2009 and site search efforts concluded this year with the company choosing Anderson, South Carolina.

According to a published report the site was chosen for its quality infrastructure, low energy costs and proximity to the expanding Southeastern market.

The company is buying the former Shaw Industries facility for the new manufacturing facilities.