Dart announces US$47 million plant expansion

Thermoformer Dart Container Corporation has announced plans to invest US$47 million in a major expansion of the company’s central manufacturing operations in Mason, Mich.

According to Dart – which manufactures single-use foodservice packaging products for use in hospitals, schools, restaurants, businesses and homes – the expansion was necessitated by last year’s acquisition of the Chicago-based Solo Cup Company, which employs about 15,000 people at more than 45 production, distribution center, and office locations in eight countries.

The new expansion will create about 325 new jobs, the company said.

According to a news release, Dart is planning to build a new corporate headquarters building and warehouse facility, as well as expand existing buildings on its Alaiedon Township campus to integrate Solo Cup corporate and administrative operations into Dart’s Michigan operations, while relocating some former of Solo Cup staff there from the Chicago area.

“We are excited about expanding employment opportunities on our Mason campus, where our founders launched our company more than 50 years ago,” said Dart’s executive vice-president and general counsel James Lammers.

While Dart currently has the production facilities in 13 U.S. States, it also has subsidiaries in Argentina, Australia, Mexico, England, and a Canadian operation in Campbellford, Ont.

Dart bought Illinois-based Solo Cup for US$315 million along with US$700 million in debt in March 2012.