USG Corp. announced today it will expand and improve manufacturing capabilities at its Jacksonville plant.
The Chicago-based company said construction and plant updates should be completed by the end of 2018. USG expects to create about 20 jobs.
The plant has about 150 employees.
“We have been a part of the Jacksonville community for 80 years and I look forward to this next phase of growth,” said Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO of USG, in the news release.
She said the investment reflects USG’s commitment “to making quality, innovative building products that solve customer challenges and create a safer, more sustainable future.”
USG Corp. makes building products through its United States Gypsum Co. and USG Interiors LLC. It makes wall, ceiling, flooring, sheathing and roofing products. USG has 39 U.S. locations in 26 states, and 49 locations throughout North America. U.S. Gypsum Co. is adding conveyance and drying equipment, a tower structural support and installation at its 6825 Evergreen Ave. plant.
The city approved a permit Oct. 24 for Southland Processing Group to build a foundation at a cost of almost $558,000 on 1.26 acres.
Pending permits show the entire project at $7.9 million.
Since April, the city has approved permits for almost $1 million in construction projects for the Jacksonville property.
That indicates a construction cost of at least $8.8 million, which doesn’t include equipment.
The Jacksonville plant makes wallboard and other gypsum and joint compound products, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
Property records show U.S. Gypsum owns almost 65 acres at the Evergreen Avenue property in the Panama Park area along the St. Johns River north of Downtown.
The Jacksonville update will include a new production line to make USG’s Securock ExoAir 430 panels.
The announcement said that is the only integrated gypsum sheathing panel with a pre-applied fluid air-barrier membrane.
USG said that eliminates application challenges like weather, material waste and performance variances and it speeds construction.
It said the addition of the high-speed, automated production line in Jacksonville will allow the company to distribute the product to more customers in the United States and Canada.
USG said it also will invest in the Jacksonville facility to improve overall plant efficiency, including upgrades to modernize process mill equipment.
In a statement in the release, Mayor Lenny Curry said USG “is contributing to Jacksonville’s growing position as a leading destination for international business and demonstrates our commitment to fostering an environment that encourages economic development and job creation.”