Lebanon, Ind. – DS Smith, a leading packaging company of customer-specific packaging and consumer goods, broke ground on a new facility in Lebanon.
Graham Cox (Managing Director, DS Smith North America Packaging and Paper), Jim Morgan (CEO and President, DS Smith North America Packaging and Paper), Eric Holcomb (Governor of Indiana), Matt Gentry (Mayor of Lebanon), Rachel Huser (Economic Development Manager, Boone County Economic Development Corporation) and Jim Schellinger (Indiana Secretary of Commerce) break ground on DS Smith’s new facility in Lebanon, Indiana.
“We are very pleased that DS Smith has chosen Lebanon and will join the growing cluster of international companies located in the Lebanon Business Park,” said Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry. “It’s exciting to consider that the sustainable packaging solutions they produce here in Lebanon will be seen by consumers nationwide.”
DS Smith anticipates investing more than $100 million to construct the 548,000 square foot facility.
“It’s an exciting day for Indiana as we welcome another international company to the Hoosier state,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “DS Smith joins a network of more than 950 global business facilities in Indiana that are creating quality careers and providing opportunities for Hoosiers to thrive. I’m confident that Indiana’s pro-growth business climate and skilled workforce will support DS Smith’s future success in Boone County.”
Construction on the site, located in the Lebanon Business Park, will be fully underway by the first week of February. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2019, and the company expects to employ up to 160 new, full-time employees by the end of 2020.
The company, headquartered in London, currently operates across 37 countries and employs around 28,500 people. The facility in Lebanon is the first of its kind in the United States.
“Today was an exciting milestone for DS Smith as we officially commenced the development of our first state-of-the art Greenfield plant in North America. We will continue to create solutions for some of the world’s most complex sustainability challenges right here in Indiana,” said Jim Morgan, CEO and President, DS Smith North America Packaging and Paper. “Packaging has to work harder than ever to transport products, build brands, delight customers and increase efficiency in supply chains. The highly automated facility we’re building in Lebanon will enhance our strategy to consistently deliver packaging designed and produced in line with consumers desire to reduce waste and improve sustainability. Lebanon is an excellent location for DS Smith to continue this important work, and we look forward to soon serving the Midwest region.”
“We are excited that DS Smith is bringing their innovative technology to Lebanon,” said Boone County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Molly Whitehead. “The jobs they will bring are above the Boone County average wage and a welcomed addition to our community.”
About the Boone County Economic Development Corporation
A strong community is a united community, one that achieves balance between its residents and businesses. At the Boone County Economic Development Corporation, we seek the right economic opportunities to support strong communities and enhance the quality of life for all Boone County residents. We aim to be a catalyst for smart growth strategies. We forge mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations capable of understanding and further enriching the unique assets that the residents of Boone County have built. For more information, visit www.betterinboone.org.