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Fiberon, a manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railing, cladding, and fencing products distributed around the world, broke ground May 10 on its new manufacturing facility in Columbia, TN. The facility will make Fiberon polyethylene decking product lines and composite cladding.
With this new eco-friendly facility, Fiberon anticipates creating more than 300 new, full-time jobs over the next five years. The plant is expected to be at least 500,000 sq. ft. on a 130-acre plot of land, with the first phase of operation completed by mid-2024, and the facility at full capacity by 2028. An estimated 140 full-time employees will be at the facility when it begins operations.
In terms of sustainability, the Columbia Plant Recycling Facility will be converting baled plastic waste into pellets for use at the Fiberon plant. Last year, Fiberon plants used a total of 100+ million pounds of recycled plastic, and even more post-industrial wood. Fiberon expects that when the new plant is at full capacity, it will be diverting even more wood and plastic from landfills than the company’s current two plants combined. In addition, the facility will adopt the same waste management practices that the company’s existing facilities employ including a closed-loop water system that recycles the same water every day, and includes a water reservoir to hold the water that is being reused.
Furthermore, Fiberon is making a $15,000 donation to the Youth Education Fund, a nonprofit based in Maury County, TN., that provides funding for organizations focused on offering leadership, mentorship, and educational resources to the youth in their community.
“We’re excited to join the Columbia community,” said Fenton Challgren, president of Fortune Brands’ Outdoors Business Unit. “With our new, state-of-the-art facility, Fiberon will create more than 300 jobs including manufacturing and office positions. Plus, giving back is one of our core values and we look forward to supporting Columbia and the surrounding areas.”
