PARK CITY (News release) - Governor Laura Kelly joined officials from Pratt Industries as they opened their new state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing corrugated box plant in Park City. The plant represents a $200 million investment that will create high-paying, quality jobs in Sedgwick County over the next five years.
This announcement comes during Governor Kelly's 'Prosperity On The Plains' tour promoting economic development. The Governor took a tour of the plant and gave remarks celebrating the company's investment.
"Pratt's continued investment in our state shows that when we support workers and businesses, Kansas thrives," said Governor Laura Kelly. "Now, 58 more Kansans will have high-paying jobs and $200 million will be brought into Park City - reinforcing that we all benefit from our growing economy."
Pratt Industries is the fifth largest corrugated box manufacturer in America, supplying customers such as Proctor & Gamble, the U.S. Postal Service, Unilever, Amazon, Newell Brands, Hostess, and Johnson Controls. With this newest project, Pratt will have built six of the nation's last eight paper mills - all 100 percent recycled. In fact, Pratt is the only 100 percent recycled paper company in the United States at scale.
The almost 1 million square-foot Park City facility will accommodate increased production capacity, employ 300 full-time "green collar" manufacturing jobs, and increase its presence in the greater Wichita area. The company will continue its recycling operations at the existing Wichita facility and use the new plant for manufacturing operations.
"Pratt Industries is a model example of the type of advanced manufacturer the Kelly Administration has targeted to help grow and future-proof the Kansas economy," said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. "Building this sector is key to our state's future, which is why the Kansas Framework for Growth includes a strong focus on the advanced manufacturing industry."
Pratt's owner, Anthony Pratt, is an Australian businessman who founded the company in the United States over 30 years ago. He joined the Australian Consul General on a visit to Topeka to meet with Governor Kelly in late 2021.
"I commend Governor Kelly for her strong economic leadership which has attracted more than $14 billion of new business investment in Kansas since 2019, including our $200 million investment in Wichita," Pratt said. "The box factory will employ 300 Kansans in well-paying, green collar manufacturing jobs at an average wage of almost $100,000 per person - and will allow the company to grow for years to come, supporting our customers, employees and the community."
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