West to invest in Kinston plant

According to reports in the local media, West will spend the money on improving production processes and add new washing and inspection technologies.

The firm told the Triangle Business Journal that the investment will include a contribution of as much as $1.5 million in state and local incentives and up to $2 million in investment tax credits. The firm did not say whether it will be adding to the facility’s 325-strong workforce.

However, according to a report in the Newsobserver​, West plans to hire in the fields of microbiology and engineering as part of the new expansion programme.

West has operated in the town since the mid 1970s, however its original facility was destroyed in an explosion that killed six of its manufacturing employees in 2003.

Since then the firm has rebuilt the site through a number of investment, the most recent of which was in 2007 when the firm spent $20m on upgrading capacity and hiring 100 new staff.

Restructuring​

The Kinston news marks something of a change of direction for West which has been restructuring its manufacturing operations in recent months.

In December​, for example, the firm announced plans to close a plant in​Pennsylvania and sell part of a factory Cornwall in the UK to reorganise production operations ahead of impending contract expiries.

These restructuring efforts were reflected in the financial results the firm posted last month​, which revealed that year on year operating income had fallen 73 per cent.

At the time CEO Donald Morel said the cuts allow West to “keep our production capabilities and cost structure in balance with the expected changes in demand.​”