Fitesa Simpsonville, Inc., a global leader and innovator in the design and manufacture of nonwoven fabric solutions for the global hygiene market, will expand its existing facility in Greenville County to significantly increase production capacity for its spunmelt nonwoven hygiene products. The $50 million investment is expected to generate at least 32 new jobs.

“Our mission is to be the preferred choice for the supply of nonwoven fabrics to the global hygiene industry, and to deliver high quality products with exceptional service and sustainable processes,” said Ray Dunleavy, Director of Marketing for Fitesa Simpsonville, Inc. “We are pleased to continue to grow our operations here in Greenville County, and appreciate the support of the Greenville Area Development Corporation and South Carolina Department of Commerce in making this announcement a reality.”

Fitesa will invest an estimated $50 million to upfit and remodel its existing 190,000-square-foot facility in Simpsonville, making infrastructure improvements and adding equipment to increase production of spunmelt fabrics used in products for the hygiene, medical and industrial markets. Fitesa’s products provide a variety of physical and aesthetic properties, including softness, strength, barrier, abrasion resistance, extensibility and sustainability, and are extensively used in such consumer goods as baby diapers and adult continence products.

“It’s always exciting to see an existing business expand in our state,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “We applaud Fitesa for investing another $50 million in Simpsonville and creating 32 new jobs for our state.”

Since January 2011, South Carolina has attracted more than $10 billion in capital investment and more than 28,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector. 

“South Carolina is leading the region in manufacturing GDP,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt “This expansion by Fitesa is the 30th announcement by an existing manufacturer in the state so far this year, which is further evidence that South Carolina is just right for making things.”

Fitesa Simpsonville, which is global headquarters and one of 10 Fitesa plants in eight countries on four continents, competed with other Fitesa locations in Washington and Wisconsin for the investment, said Dunleavy. “At the end of the day, we believe strongly that Greenville, South Carolina is the optimal location to help us attract and retain the quality workforce and the quality customers that we need to continue to grow and succeed. We believe this expansion is a win for all parties.”

The company, which began operations in Simpsonville in 1990, currently employs approximately 100 associates before the scheduled expansion. The company has already invested “hundreds of millions of dollars” into its South Carolina location to date, added Dunleavy.

“Fitesa Simpsonville is a high-quality employer with a strong culture of innovation and a track record of commitment to its employees and local community,” said Dr. Bob Taylor, Board Member of the Greenville Area Development Corporation and Chairman of Greenville County Council. “We are pleased that Fitesa has selected Greenville for this important new investment and business expansion.”