Fountain Inn gets headquarters, new jobs


D&W Fine Pack, the culmination of the recent mergers of Dispoz-o Products, Wilkinson Industries and C&M Fine Pack, said the new corporate headquarters will be located in the Dispoz-o Products facility in Fountain Inn. Company officials said D&W Fine Pack will have combined annual revenues in excess of $300 million, making it one of the largest packaging firms in the nation.

The company will maintain its 2 million square feet of manufacturing facilities throughout the United States in San Bernardino, Calif., Fort Calhoun, Neb., Fort Wayne, Ind. and Fountain Inn, as well as its distribution facilities in Houston and Los Angeles.

The decision to locate the corporate headquarters in Fountain Inn "was a strategic one based on several factors," said Joseph Lancia, the company’s president and chief executive.

"First and foremost was the physical plant," he said. "The Fountain Inn location was best suited to accommodate our senior management team and all of the support staff that will be required to continue the success of each of our brands. In addition, the economic environment of South Carolina and our region in particular was a major factor in our final decision."

Company officials said the new corporate headquarters will have approximately 15 new positions in sales, marketing, customer service and accounting. In addition, 25 manufacturing jobs will be created. And another five senior management team members will relocate to the Fountain Inn area, the officials said.

Fountain Inn Mayor Gary Long welcomed the news.

"It’s another piece of the puzzle of economic growth that will add jobs to the Fountain Inn area," he said.

D&W Fine Pack will maintain three distinct brands. Dispoz-o includes disposable cutlery, cutlery kits, straws, foam products and a biodegradable line of disposable products. Wilkinson includes clear plastic deli containers, hinged containers, platters, bowls, aluminum foil, pans, pie plates and a compostable line of products.

C&M includes plastic plates, bowls, containers, trays, baskets and an eco-friendly line of products.