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Austrian-Based Kronospan Expands Oxford, Alabama, Operations

05/30/2023
Kronospan, a leading producer of wood panel products, plans to establish an Oriented Strand Board manufacturing plant at its production campus in Oxford, Alabama. The $350 million project is expected to create 125 jobs.

The investment includes 44 acres of new development, including substantial areas designated for product storage, rail spur and loading docks. The manufacturing center produces laminate flooring, medium-density fiberboard, thermally fused laminate, particle board and other products.

“This is not only an opportunity to further expand our portfolio of wood panel products in the United States but also meet our customers’ growing need for high-quality construction materials,” said Hans Obermaier, CEO of Kronospan’s North American companies. “Just like the other plants on our site, the OSB plant will be constructed with our sustainability principles in mind and will further enhance our negative carbon footprint status.”

Kronospan is an Austrian-founded, Cyprus-based, international company that manufactures and distributes wood-based panels which are used in applications including flooring, furniture and timber-framed houses.

“Alabama has developed a close working relationship with Kronospan over the past 15 years, and it’s rewarding to see the company invest in new growth plans for the Oxford production center,” noted Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “This not only creates good jobs for citizens in the region but also solidifies the future of an important employer in Calhoun County.”

“I firmly believe the greatest compliment a community can receive is when a company chooses again and again to expand their facility in our backyard,” said Don Hopper, the executive director of the Calhoun County Economic Development Council. “Kronospan could have chosen to do this expansion at a variety of other locations across the world, but they chose to expand again right here in Calhoun County. “We believe that is largely because of the relationships we have built with them.”

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