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By Jeanna Baxter White

Word Master Media Group

Global manufacturer Avgol has taken a significant step towards meeting the growing domestic demand for its ultra-lightweight nonwoven fabrics by breaking ground on a 63,000 square-foot expansion at its Davie facility.

The $100 million investment will include a state-of-the-art sixth multibeam spunlaid production line and a laminate finishing line. This move reaffirms Avgol’s commitment to the region as a domestic supplier and leader in the global hygiene market.

Avgol, which has majority ownership held by Thailand’s Indorama Ventures Limited, leads the global hygiene market with the most comprehensive range of ultra-lightweight spun-melt nonwoven fabrics.

The addition of a sixth production line in Mocksville, equipped with advanced Reicofil 5 (RF5) technology, strengthens Avgol’s position. This machinery is expected to be fully operational by November 2024.

This expansion marks the fifth enlargement of Avgol’s flagship facility here since it acquired the plant from Unifi in 2001. With the introduction of the new production line, the Avgol America Mocksville plant is set to become the world’s largest single producer of non-woven fabric.

“I am happy that Indorama approved the investment of $100 million to add this sixth line, which will be the best nonwoven line in the world, here in Mocksville,” Shachar Rachim, CEO of Hygiene Vertical at Indorama, stated during the ceremony attended by N.C. State Rep. Julia Howard and numerous Davie and Mocksville leaders. “We believe in the United States’ stable and robust economy and feel comfortable with this investment, which will lead to future investments.”

Echoing his sentiments, Sivan Yedidsion, CEO of Avgol, added:   “It wasn’t easy to convince our shareholders to invest this much money here, but they have confidence in our team and the previous successful project we’ve done here. We are confident this will be yet another success. We appreciate all the help and support we’ve received from the State of North Carolina, Davie County, and the Town of Mocksville.

“We also want to thank Ronnie Batchler (Avgol America VP Sales NA/LA & Business Development), who has been an integral part of building this entire place, Darryl Fournier, VP Operations NA, who will be taking over the operations, and the rest of the team here at Avgol.”

“We want to be a part of this community and considered an employer of choice. It is important to us to attract talented people from the area.”

The project is expected to create 52 new jobs by the end of 2024, with an average annual wage of $55,647.

Avgol employees 260 here.

During the ceremony, local officials, including Mocksville Mayor Will Marklin, Davie Board of Commissioners Chair Mark Jones, and Howard, expressed their appreciation for Avgol’s long-standing partnership and contributions to the community and offered their continued support.

“We thank you for being here. We thank you for being the corporate citizen you are for Davie County,” said Jones.  “We thank you for creating jobs and tax base for the citizens of Davie County. We wish you nothing but the best in the days ahead.”

Terry Bralley, president of the Davie County Economic Commission, commended the collective efforts of the local community and Avgol in achieving success together.

“What you see here is a network of people that work together and accomplish things together. Davie County was just named an All-America County, one of only 10 in the United States. And it’s because of everyone’s hard work. We all pull together and work through problems just like you do every day that your facility is online.

“What you are doing here and the opportunities you provide mean so much to our citizens and young people,” Bralley said.