First Quality Tissue to invest US$984 million in new Ohio plant
The company will create more than 400 jobs with the construction of a towel and tissue plant in Defiance County, backed by the Ohio Future Fund
First Quality, which specializes in the manufacture of hygiene, paper and packaging products, will invest US$984 million in the construction of a new towel and tissue production plant in Defiance, Ohio, which will create more than 400 jobs in the region.
The plant will cover 1.6 million square feet and will be located on a 1,000-acre site in the Baltimore Avenue Industrial Corridor. This project is supported by the Fund for Ohio’s Future, a statewide initiative designed to promote economic development and attract investment that will generate jobs and growth in the state.
In a statement, representatives of First Quality Tissue expressed their enthusiasm for the expansion and noted that they look forward to integrating into the local community and contributing productively to Defiance County. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine noted that the Ohio Future Fund seeks to attract well-established companies willing to make significant investments in the state, stressing that the preparation of this industrial site will benefit both the region and First Quality Tissue. For his part, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted stated that companies are looking for ready-to-operate locations, and Defiance County offered ideal conditions for this project, which will have a positive impact on northwest Ohio.
First Quality Tissue’s initiative joins other recent investments in the state’s manufacturing sector. Among them, Westrafo, a manufacturer of power transformers, will open a new plant in Ohio, creating 230 jobs. In addition, Honda will invest US$700 million in an electric vehicle development center, known as EV Hub, to train its employees in electric mobility technologies. On the other hand, Schaeffler will allocate US$230 million to the construction of an automotive electric mobility solutions plant, where electric axles for light and medium-sized vehicles will be manufactured.
These investments reflect the companies’ growing interest in expanding their operations in Ohio, consolidating the state as a strategic center for manufacturing and the development of advanced technologies.
