GP to Spend $100M on Dixie Plant Expansion in Kentucky

Koch Industries-owned pulp, paper, and packaging company Georgia-Pacific revealed plans Wednesday to invest some $100 million in an upgrade of its Bowling Green, KY production facility. The project will enable the company to produce Dixie plates and bowls in a wider range of sizes. 

Georgia-Pacific will add 80,000 sq ft of space to the Kentucky plant’s footprint and install a new printer and plate forming presses. On-site truck trailer storage will also be expanded during the project, along with a new driveway and dock doors. 

“This expansion will help us to continue meeting the needs of our customers as demand continues to grow for high-quality, durable paper plates and bowls,” Georgia-Pacific Vice President and General Manager of Livingwear Erik Sjogren said in a company press release. “We believe this expansion will also position our Bowling Green Dixie facility to remain competitive in the market and in the local community for the long-term.”

In addition to the structural changes being made at the Bowling Green site, Georgia-Pacific also plans to hire 50 new workers, bringing the plant’s headcount to about 200 employees. 

“We are excited to expand production at Bowling Green,” said Jimmy Lindsay, plant director of the Bowling Green Dixie production site, in a statement. “This is a great plant with an excellent safety record, modern facilities and a highly-skilled and qualified workforce. This investment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our workforce to continuously create value for our customers and the community.”

Operations at the plant will be uninterrupted by the expansion, according to the company. Work on the project is expected to reach a conclusion in the first half of next year. 

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