By Cindy RileyCEG CORRESPONDENT

The city of Decatur, Ala., ismaking history as the site of a $187million construction project that’sbeing launched by the India-basedPolyplex plant. It will mark thecompany’s first North Americanplant and will be located inMallard Fox Creek Industrial Park.The site selected is already hometo many of the city’s largestemployers.“Decatur was a good choice for

Polyplex for many reasons, includ-ing the strategic supplier agree-ment with the BP plant inDecatur,” explained Polyplexspokesperson Angela Wilson. “BPwill be the primary supplier for oneof the raw materials to our process.In addition to the raw material sup-ply, the strong industrial base alongwith the skilled workforce avail-able in Morgan and surroundingcounties made Decatur the opti-mum site selection for this signifi-cant capital investment.”Company officials announced

in July that the second phaseshould be completed in late 2015.The company also plans to relocateits U.S. headquarters to the site.The polyester film plant is underconstruction on property pur-chased for $1.7 million, with oneof the local incentives includingthe clearing of trees and stumpsfrom the site.With site excavation in the very

early stage, construction will be afairly lengthy process.Groundbreaking was held in July2011.“This project is Polyplex’s first

significant capital investment inthe U.S. Additionally, it is thelargest single capital investment

Polyplex has made in the compa-ny’s history,” Wilson explained.“There are challenges with anylarge project, but the difficulties arenot driven by our parent companybeing overseas. We have assem-bled a very talented project teamwho have partnered with excellentstrategic partners. Thus far, we arevery pleased with the progress ofthe project.”Described as a global leader in

high-performance plastic films

made of polyester and polypropy-lene, Polyplex Corporation Ltd.was established in the 1980s andmaintains plants in India, Turkeyand Thailand. Polyplex produces aplastic film used primarily in foodpackaging, and is considered oneof the world’s largest manufactur-ers of thin polyester film. PolyplexCEO Sanjiv Saraf said the newaddition, most likely operating inthree shifts, will be its best to date.“When this plant opens next

year, it will represent our compa-ny’s largest single capital invest-ment ever,” he explained.Amit Kalra, president and gen-

eral manager of the company, stat-ed, “We always felt we needed tohave a significant presence inNorth America. We came to thepoint where we felt we needed tobe closer to our customers.”Polyplex reportedly first

looked at locating in Mexico,where costs would have been

lower; however, there were con-cerns over ongoing violence there,and officials were drawn to thehigh worker productivity in theUnited States. A handful of stateswere considered, before Polyplextapped Decatur based on its soundinfrastructure.According to Polyplex plant

manager Jeff Hudspeth, “As withall construction projects, timing

Polyplex Corp. Brings $187 Million Project to Decatur

ALABAMA STATE EDITION A Supplement to:

Your Alabama Connection • Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479

“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”

see PLANT page 2

The city of Decatur, Ala., is making history as the site of a $187 million construction project that’s being launched by the India-basedPolyplex plant. It will mark the company’s first North American plant and will be located in Mallard Fox Creek Industrial Park.

December 142011

Vol. XXIIV • No. 25Mobile

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Page 2 • December 14, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

Ala. Facility Marks India-Based Firm’s First in United Statesand coordination are critical. Tosolve this we have an on-site proj-ect team working directly with thedesign and construction manage-ment teams for the duration of theproject including the all-importantcommissioning phase.

“We couldn’t have picked a bet-ter design firm to work with,” saidHudspeth. “We’ve always used acollaborative approach to designwhere we incorporate innovativeideas from the designer and inter-nal project team members. Herewe have utilized more of a design-build approach to allow maximumspeed while capturing the efficien-cy in design required from both acost and technical perspective. Atthe end of the day one must alwaysmeasure twice and cut once.”

Construction on a 42-acre tractacquired from Steel Technologiesbegan in August. The general con-tractor of the massive project,Graycor Construction, is makingcertain construction goes assmoothly as possible in workingwith its various subcontractors andcarrying out the company’s mis-sion. Still in the very early stages ofbuilding, the project is winninghigh marks from area business andcommunity leaders who recognizethe economic impact of the newplant during difficult economictimes.

Jeremy Nails, president andCEO of the Morgan CountyEconomic DevelopmentAssociation, explained, “We wereexcited to have Polyplex selectDecatur, Morgan County, Alabamafor their first North American man-ufacturing facility and their largestcapital investment in any singlelocation. Polyplex is an excellentcompany and we enjoyed workingwith their site selection teamthroughout the decision-makingprocess.

“Their facility,” Nails added, “isa good fit for our community, andthey will benefit from the excellenttransportation and utility infra-structure surrounding their site.The creation of 150 high-wagejobs during this economy is morethan good news for our citizens.

Phase one of the plant willemploy 100 workers at a $110 mil-lion facility. Phase two will add

another $77 million in equipmentand another 50 employees.Polyplex is focused on end-usemarket for the flexible packagingand industrial applications, withthe Decatur plant expected to beoperational by late next year.

“We are excited that Polyplexhas chosen Alabama for their newproduction facility and for theirU.S. Headquarters operation,” saidGreg Canfield, director of theAlabama Development Office.

“Alabama’s economy continues todiversify with these 150 new jobsand Polyplex’s large capital invest-ment shows their confidence in ourstate’s economic developmentteam and in our workforce. Welook forward to seeing them growand prosper in the area.”

The company is completely ver-tically integrated, upstream with itsown feedstock resin and down-stream in metalizing, silicone coat-ing and extrusion coating, as spe-

cialty businesses, offering barrierfilms, release liners and thermallaminates. In 2010, Polyplexreported revenues in excess of$530 million. The company antici-pates reaching $1 billion in rev-enues by 2013.

A team from India is expected tobe actively involved in the con-struction process; however, mostemployees Polyplex hires whenoperations begin are expected to belocal. Polyplex plans to move its

North American headquartersfrom the Dallas area to Decaturwhen the plant is complete.

The company reportedly begantalking with Alabama officials inJanuary 2011 and is expected to befully operational by the third quar-ter of 2012.

(This story also can be foundon Construction EquipmentGuide’s Web site at www.con-structionequipmentguide.com.)CEG

Phase one of the plant will employ 100 workers at a $110 million facility. Phase two will add another $77 million in equipment andanother 50 employees.

“We are excited that Polyplex has chosen Alabama for their new production facility andfor their U.S. Headquarters operation. Alabama’s economy continues to diversify withthese 150 new jobs and Polyplex’s large capital investment shows their confidence in ourstate’s economic development team and in our workforce.”

Greg CanfieldAlabama Development Office

PLANT from page 1

Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • December 14, 2011 • Page 3

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Page 4 • December 14, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • December 14, 2011 • Page 5

Page 4 • December 14, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • December 14, 2011 • Page 5

Page 6 • December 14, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

The Alabama State Department of Transportationreceived bids for transportation-related improvementprojects.Following is a list of some of the projects let.

County: MobileContract ID: BRF-0158(501)Project: Bridge replacement (WBR) and approaches onSR-158 at Chickasaw Creek in Prichard.Distance: 0.71 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Racon Inc. — $3,607,126• John G. Walton Construction Company Inc. —

$3,815,249• Murphree Bridge Corporation — $4,001,065

County: EtowahContract ID:NH-RECA-0001(564) and HSIP-NH-0074(527)Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-1(US-431) & SR-74 (U.S.-278) from the south end of theMeighan Boulevard Bridge to the east city limit ofGadsden.Distance: 3.01 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• McCartney Construction Company Inc. —$1,451,079

• Good Hope Contracting Company Inc. — $1,508,255

Counties: Cleburne and CalhounContract ID: EB-HSIP-0001(566)Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-1(US-431) from south of SR-9 to U.S.-78 east of Anniston.Distance: 7.76 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Apac Mid-South Inc. — $2,787,018• McCartney Construction Company Inc. —

$2,899,916

County: ShelbyContract ID: EB-HSIP-0025(524)Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-25from 0.2 mi. north of CR-73 in Montevallo to CR-310 inCalera.Distance: 8.50 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Dunn Construction Company Inc. — $1,893,882• Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $1,969,655• Apac Mid-South Inc. — $2,377,023

County: MontgomeryContract ID: STPAA-HSIP-0271(502) and ST-051-271-002Project: Turn lane extension, planing, resurfacing andtraffic stripe on SR-271 (Taylor Road) in Montgomery atsites as indicated by the plans.Distance: 1.90 mi.

Contractors and Bid Amounts:• Asphalt Contractors Inc. — $1,626,280• Apac Mid-South Inc. — $1,656,000• Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $1,726,643

County: MadisonContract ID: STPAA-STPHV-0001(531)Project: Intersection improvements (grade, drainage andpavement) on SR-1 (US-431) at CR-321 (Dug Hill Road)in Huntsville.Distance: 0.77 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Angelo Iafrate Construction Company d/b/a AngeloIafra — $5,445,590

• Reed Contracting Services Inc. — $5,781,223• E. O. Byars Construction Inc. — $5,922,194

Counties: Butler and LowndesContract ID: IM-I065(409)Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on I-65from south of the Lowndes county line (MP 139.365) tosouth of SR-97 (EXIT 151) (MP 150.560) at Letohatchee.Distance: 11.19 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Apac Mid-South Inc. — $10,479,660• Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. —

$11,450,899

County: WashingtonContract ID: BRF-0017(506) and NH-0017(521)

Project: Bridge replacement, culvert extensions andapproaches on SR-17 (U.S.-45) at Long Branch and FlatBranch southeast of Deer Park.Distance: 1.36 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Hosea O. Weaver & Sons Inc. — $5,494,138• John G. Walton Construction Company Inc. —

$5,838,112• Grady Ralls & Sons Inc. — $5,880,892

County: BlountContract ID: BR-0075(510)Project: Bridge replacement and approaches on SR-75 atthe calvert prong of the Little Warrior River north ofOneonta.Distance: 0.47 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Racon Inc. — $4,416,361• Alabama Bridge Builders Inc. — $4,431,979• R. R. Dawson Bridge Company LLC — $4,493,136

County: LowndesContract ID:NH-0008(555)Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-8(U.S.-80) from west of CR-23 (MP 106.100) to east of SR-97 (MP 113.070) in Lowndesboro.Distance: 6.96 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $3,886,194• Asphalt Contractors Inc. — $3,907,244• Apac Mid-South Inc. — $4,370,200

Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega • Calhoun • Russell • Walker • Lawrence • Dekalb • Morgan • St. Clair • Tuscaloosa • Morgan • Shelby• Bibb •Hale • Fayette • Marion • Winston • Cullman • Shelby • Chilton • Chambers • Covington • Baldwin • Clarke • Monroe • St. Clair• Chilton • Escambia• Montgomery • Jefferson • Russell • Fayette • Conecuh • Coffee • Geneva • Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega •Bibb • Coffee • Calhoun • Russell • • Walker• Lawrence• Dekalb • Morgan • St. Clair • Tuscaloosa • Bibb• Hale • Fayette • Monroe •Clarke • Winston • Cullman • Shelby • Chilton • Chambers • Covington • Baldwin • Clarke • Monroe • Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega

Alabama…

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Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • December 14, 2011 • Page 7

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