'You are welcome here in Ohio'

Big news for Pickawway County — Sofidel, a leading manufacturer of toilet paper, is expanding its production capacity in Circleville.

Governor Mike DeWine and other local leaders used shiny shovels to turn over some dirt at a ceremonial groundbreaking on a sunny Thursday morning for the company’s $185 million expansion project that promises to add an additional 100+ more employees to the plant’s workforce, estimated to be around 500 Ohioans.

“We’re thrilled by your success. We’re happy to have you in Ohio and just appreciate it very, very much,” DeWine said. “It’s been a very, very good partnership. I think there’s a lot to celebrate for Ohio and Circleville. The demand for your issue paper product is great and this $185 million investment you’re making will increase the facility’s production capacity. We’ll expect you’ll be able to continue to grow.”

Pickaway County Commission President Jay Wippel spoke to Sofidel’s dedicated employees and commitment to Pickaway County.

“The dedicated employees of Sofidel are the heart and soul of this operation,” He said. “Their hard work, perseverance, and wavering dedication are truly commendable. Sofidel’s presence in Pickaway County flourishes because of that commitment, a true give and take partnership. Sofidel reciprocates with opportunities for growth and prosperity to our Pickaway county workers.”

Wippel continued, “As we break ground for this expansion, it brings not just bricks and mortar, but the promise of 100 additional jobs and another $185 million investment, solidifying Sofidel’s dedication to the growth and success of Pickaway County.”

The project in Circleville involves the construction of a new building that will house the new Valmet DCT 200 paper mill machine, which will start operation in the third quarter of 2025 with a production capacity of 70,000 metric tons per year.

The Circleville plant, which is already home to two Valmet Advantage NTT paper mill machines, will reach a production capacity of over 200,000 metric tons per year, increasing production by 50 percent.

The measure is happening in order to meet the growing demand in the U.S., the Sofidel tissue paper group, well-known in Italy and Europe for its brands, including Regina Nicky and consumer brands.

Sofidel broke ground on its first building located on 280 acres in Circleville along State Route 23 in 2016. The Ohio plant was Sofidel’s first greenfield investment in the United States and it is the company’s most modern and sustainable plant. The plant sits in an area rich in water, gas, and electricity, and is close to a strategic logistics hub for distribution operators, with intermodal transport systems and major urban centers within a few hundred miles.

“You are welcome here in Ohio,” DeWine said. “This is just a great, great place to do business. We have so much going for us here in Ohio. We have a strategic location within a day’s drive of 60% of the population of the United States and 60% of the population of Canada. We have the infrastructure. We have the resources. We have the manufacturers. We have the people. We have a business-friendly atmosphere with a very predictable, over a long period of time, tax climate.”

DeWine continued, “One of the things I’ve learned over the years is business does not want surprises, they want predictability. And that’s another thing that Ohio offers. Finally, the quality of life in Ohio — we don’t think it’s better in any place in frankly in the whole world. It’s a great place to live. It’s a great place to work. Maybe most important, it’s a great place to raise a family. So we appreciate this partnership. We look forward to continue with growth, continue success to all of your fantastic workers. We appreciate all of them and the work that they do.”

DeWine praised hardworking Ohio workers and its place in the economy.

“One of the great assets that Ohio has is our people. We’re Ohioans, we get up in the morning, we go to work, we get the job done. And not a lot of drama, but we do it — we make things happen. This has historically been a manufacturing state, so when we can see manufacturing continue to grow in Ohio, that’s a good thing for Ohio. It’s a good thing for the people, people of the state. We look forward to seeing the great progress of Sofidel continue.”