East Longmeadow MA, October 20--An Agawam decorative paper company broke ground Tuesday for a plant here that will expand its production capabilities and employ more than 25, according to the Republican.
Suddekor LLC, a subsidiary of a German firm, marked the start of construction on its $20 million paper-treating plant on Deer Park Drive. The 108,000-square-foot factory is being built on 22 acres at the new Deer Park Industrial Center.
Suddekor is adding a treatment plant to supplement its decorative paper printing facility in Agawam. The company used to have paper treated by suppliers.
Company president Andreas Gottzmann said customers have already expressed interest in products that could be made at the new facility.
He said the company was eager to build in the Pioneer Valley because of the quality of workers it finds here and the reception it has received from municipal officials in Agawam and East Longmeadow.
"We're excited about the future in what has become our North American headquarters and home," Gottzmann said.
Suddekor prints decorative papers that are then treated and used in laminate products including countertops cabinets and flooring. The market is expected to grow 34 percent in the next five years, company officials said.
The East Longmeadow factory is expected to be in operation by April, Gottzmann said.
Plans call for expansion within a few years to add another 250,000 square feet to the factory as demand increases. The plant could employ 100 after the full expansion, officials said.
Also attending the ceremony were representatives of the town, area legislators and officials from contractor Dacon Corp. of Natick.
Allan W. Blair, president of Westmass Development Corp., said he believes the Deer Park Industrial Center will fill up rapidly. There is already interest from at least one company in building in the park's remaining 67 acres.
