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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Koinonia Plans First U.S. Manufacturing Plant in Pulaski County, Virginia

09/08/2017
Koinonia Ltd., a Brazilian-based manufacturer of foam and tape solutions for the automotive, refrigeration , marine, construction, and heavy machinery industries, will invest $4.9 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing operation in the ShaeDawn Industrial Park in Pulaski County, Virginia. the project will create 40 new jobs.

Founded in 2016, Koinonia (also known as Koi Foams) is a subsidiary of Koinonia Fitas e Pecas Tecnicas e Espumas Ltda, a Sao Paulo, Brazil-based company founded in 2009 that has a well-established customer base in Brazil. The company will manufacture industrial-scale ribbons and technical parts made from polyethylene, ethylene propylene diene monomer (M-class) (EDPM) rubber, nitrile rubber (NBR), neoprene, other rubbers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and a variety of flexible materials.

“After searching different U.S. states for our plant, we at Koinonia decided to open our doors in Virginia for various reasons, including the great support from state and local authorities, lower cost of living, lower cost of energy, and the talented workforce from local colleges and universities,” said Koinonia Chief Operating Officer Marcio Lopes.

“Virginia welcomed us with open arms, and it has been an honor and privilege to work with the Onward NRV team and, specifically, the people from Pulaski County,” he added.

Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Pulaski County and Onward New River Valley to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $100,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the County with the project. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“Koinonia’s first United States manufacturing operation is an important win for the commonwealth and the New River Valley,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Pulaski County’s strategic location and the region’s thriving automotive industry present solid future opportunities for the company as a supplier, pushing Virginia ahead of our competition.

“Koinonia selecting the commonwealth as its gateway to the U.S. market speaks volumes about our business environment and workforce, and we are proud the company will join our efforts to build a new Virginia economy,”the Governor said.

“It’s an honor to welcome Koinonia to Pulaski County and to the growing sector of international advanced manufacturing companies, which currently represent more than $118 billion in direct annual economic output across Virginia,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore. “Koinonia is a supplier to a variety of industries and companies and undoubtedly will be a key economic asset to the New River Valley.”

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