HENDERSON, Ky. — (Dec. 16, 2021) – Pratt Industries in Henderson broke ground on a $500 million paper mill and box factory that will create 321 well-paying jobs across the two facilities and is the largest investment in the region in more than 25 years.
Gov. Andy Beshear and local officials joined Pratt executives for Thursday’s event.
“As work continues to help our Western Kentucky communities heal after last week’s unprecedented storm, the arrival of Pratt Industries to this region will be an important part of that recovery process,” Beshear said. “Not only is this new operation going to create quality job opportunities for hundreds of Kentucky residents, the generosity shown by Pratt leadership during this difficult time also proves the company will be a perfect fit for Henderson and the surrounding area. I want to thank Anthony Pratt and his team for their commitment to the commonwealth. This is the start of a great partnership that will improve the lives of families throughout the region.”
Pratt broke ground on the first of two facilities that will total 1.15 million s.f. along Kentucky 425 in Henderson County. The company earlier this year announced a $400 million investment, which has since grown to $500 million to support construction of a 500,000-s.f. box factory. It will produce corrugated sheet and boxes, including pizza boxes and packaging for major distributors and big box stores with paper sourced from the new state-of-the-art, 650,000-s.f. paper mill, which produces 100% recycled paper.
Construction of the box factory will be complete by 2023. Company leaders anticipate the project will contribute to approximately 700 construction jobs over the years ahead.
The new location expands Pratt’s footprint in the commonwealth, which currently includes a Pratt Display manufacturing plant established in Hebron in 2011, which employs over 200 Kentuckians.
“Our Henderson paper mill and box factory is the single biggest investment our company has ever made and will create 1,000 jobs, including American, green-collar manufacturing and construction jobs,” said Anthony Pratt, executive chairman of Pratt Industries. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Western Kentucky at this difficult time and in support of those communities, I’m honored to pledge $1 million to assist with tornado relief and recovery efforts in Kentucky.”
Pratt commended Beshear for his handling of the tornado disaster as he committed to support Kentucky during its recovery and said his leadership helps make the state a good investment location.
“We see further investment potential in this dynamic state,” Pratt said. “I believe in regional manufacturing. It’s the heart and soul of America, and there is no better place than Kentucky.”
Georgia-based Pratt Industries produces lightweight, high-strength containerboard and corrugated board sourced from 100% recycled paper. The company’s operations include paper mills in Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, New York and Ohio. Pratt Industries was established more than 30 years ago and employs more than 10,000 people in nearly 30 states.
Pratt’s new operation will support Kentucky’s rapidly growing logistics and distribution industry, which employs nearly 80,000 people at roughly 590 facilities statewide. Since the start of 2020, distribution and logistics companies committed to creating more than 2,700 full-time, Kentucky-resident jobs over the coming years with more than 50 facility expansions and new-location projects statewide. Those projects include $440 million in private-sector investment in the commonwealth.
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