New folding carton plant opens in Marion, NC. 


RockTenn(www.rocktenn.com) celebrated the grand opening of its new Marion, NC, folding carton facility. The plant produces consumer packaging for a variety of products people use every day.

“Last summer, Governor Perdue joined us to announce the expansion of our operations here in Marion,” says Mike Kiepura, RockTenn President, Consumer Packaging. “Today, it’s just as exciting to be back in North Carolina to see the culmination of everyone’s hard work and to open a new facility that will provide our customers with innovative, value-added products.”

RockTenn has already invested almost $25 million in the new Marion facility. The plant, which completes its first full month of production on March 31, plans to add a total of 124 jobs with an average annual wage that is 10% more than current average for McDowell County. The hiring process is already underway and interested parties are encouraged to contact the Employment Security Commission of McDowell County.

“We would like to extend our thanks to all of the dedicated people at the city, county, state and other associations that made today possible,” says Steve Harrell, General Manager of the Marion plant.

“Our goal is to continue to be the low-cost provider of folding cartons in the selected value-added markets that Marion targets, and this expansion allows us to focus on achieving that goal while better serving our customers,” Harrell concludes.

RockTenn has folding carton facilities in Marion, Claremont and Conover, and its Merchandising displays business is headquartered in Winston-Salem. A total of almost 1,500 full-time and 1,800 part-time RockTenn employees call North Carolina home.