Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

Plastic manufacturer bringing jobs to Modesto

By J.N. Sbranti

jnsbranti@modbee.com

MODESTO -- Tennessee-based Ring Container Technologies is investing more than $5 million to open a plastic manufacturing plant in southeast Modesto. The company will employ 24 workers for the 100,000-square-foot facility and start production in about a month.

Plant manager Tom Sponder said Ring selected Modesto because it is near many food processors, and the Modesto Irrigation District's electric rates are among the lowest in California.

The company will manufacture high-density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate recyclable, blow-molded rigid containers for various foods, such as cooking oils, salty snacks and dried fruits.

Ring is leasing space at 3643 Finch Road in the Beard Industrial District. It currently is installing production equipment and constructing its interior offices.

Of the 24 employees, Sponder said about five will be filled by people working at Ring's smaller Stockton plant, which "will eventually close."

The Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance is helping Ring interview and screen Modesto applicants. Sponder said several openings remain, including for a mechanic and a couple of entry-level production associates.

"We're looking for people with good attitudes who will fit into our team," Sponder said. He said all the jobs at Ring pay more than minimum wage and its compensation is competitive with comparable manufacturers.

"Ring is a great company," said Sponder, who has lived in Modesto since 1993. He previously worked at Liquid Container, which also is in the Beard district.

Investing in the future

The new plant is leasing its space from the Beard Land Improvement Co., and it will be using the district's short-line rail service.

"This new facility marks Ring's first PET manufacturing venture on the West Coast and an important investment in our future," said Wayne Drake, Ring's chief financial officer. "With our Modesto plant in place, we plan on expanding and growing our business, offering a broad range of sustainable packaging options to customers throughout the West."

PET plastics are clear, like water bottles and custom-shaped rigid containers. HDPE plastics are opaque, like milk jugs.

"We're very pleased to have Ring Container Technologies as a new business in Stanislaus County and excited to be their choice for the company's new PET West Coast facility," said Delyn Meyers, the alliance's senior manager of economic development.

Ring Container is part of the Ring Cos., a privately held corporation with 22 locations in the United States, Canada and Europe. Headquartered in Oakland, Tenn., it began operations in 1968 and is among North America's largest plastic container manufacturers.

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/2012/02/20/2077250/plastic-manufacturer-comes-to.html#storylink=cpy