A German manufacturer of non-woven composite materials plans to invest $85 million to build a manufacturing facility and U.S. corporate headquarters in Franklin County, Va. McAirlaid’s Vliesstoffe GmbH & Co. KG, which uses a new, environmentally friendly method to produce absorbent materials, announced recently that it will open its first North American manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters in Franklin County’s Commerce Center near Rocky Mount, Virginia. The facility will use the company’s patented method to produce material without chemicals or glues, and expects to employ 160 people. Franklin County was selected over other U.S. sites because of its excellent school system, highly motivated workforce, recreational opportunities, and landscape similar to rural Germany, officials said.

In addition to local incentives of approximately $2.5 million, including approximately 30 acres at the Commerce Center, the project will receive a $500,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund, $500,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds, and training support through the Virginia Department of Business Assistance.

Anderson & Associates has been retained by the manufacturer to act as their project manager, in addition to providing the master planning and site design work for the facilities.

"Traditionally, pulp is separated from water to create paper, but McAirlaid’s uses air technology to create paper used in its products. It is a much more environmentally friendly process because a there are no byproducts that must be treated in a wastewater facility or disposed of in a landfill," said A&A Project Manager Chris Fewster.

McAirlaid expects to occupy the new facility in early 2007. To meet this tight schedule, the project will use a cohesive "team build" approach with A&A taking the lead on master planning and design, and Eden and Associates serving as designers for the building. Both firms will work together representing McAirlaid during construction. The project will also consist of two additional sitework and building phases over the next six years.

"The team build process allows us to represent the owner’s interest and expediting the construction process while the Owner can concentrate on starting up their new business in North America" Fewster said.

A&A has been involved with the development of the Commerce Center since its inception in the mid-90’s. A&A used GIS technology to develop and process the coding and ranking potential sites based on topography, roads, utilities, and other factors.

A&A will also be responsible for the design of a mass drainfield and water system improvements within the Commerce Center for Franklin County that will serve McAirlaid’s new facility.