MORENO VALLEY, California -- Solaris Paper announced a major capital project this week that will see the company add eight production lines and employ 180 workers in Southern California.
James Rice, the president and CEO of Solaris, said on Tuesday the Santa Fe Springs, California-based company officially took possession of a new, 800,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Moreno Valley, California.
Solaris Paper is a towel and tissue manufacturer focused on the retail and away-from-home markets. Its products include premium bath tissue, paper towels and facial tissue.
"There's still a lot more work to do until this empty building is up and running with eight production lines and 180 new American manufacturing jobs," Rice said.
Tuesday's announcement follows Solaris Paper saying it would move and expand its operations to Moreno Valley. According to Rice, the move maintains the organization's Southern California operational base, while at the same time positions the company for growth in both the away-from-home and at-home consumer tissue industry.
"We are excited about the move, it will allow us to consolidate our operations and meet our long term growth goals to build a made in America, sold in America business model," Rice said.
Solaris Paper plans to transfer about 175-180 employees to the Moreno Valley location. Company leadership worked with several local governments before choosing to build out an entirely new, customized facility in Moreno Valley with support from Moreno Valley's City Council, and the city's Mayor, Yxstian Gutierrez, who believes Moreno Valley is the ideal place for businesses.
"We are thrilled to welcome Solaris Paper to Moreno Valley," said Mayor Gutierrez. "Solaris is an industry leader in supplying kitchen towels, bath, and facial tissue. We have great respect for Solaris Paper's commitment to responsibly-managed paper sourcing, sustainable manufacturing operations, and employment of local talent."
Rice added that Moreno Valley was the perfect place for the company to relocate with its close proximity to several large customers, major cargo ports, transportation routes as well as its quality of life.
"The area provides a wonderful environment not only for our customer base logistically, but for our entire team and their families as well. This is a win-win for us as we hope to not only transfer our entire existing workforce, but offer new job opportunities to those already within the Moreno Valley area as well."
The new Solaris Paper facility will be LEED Certified to create a healthy, environmentally responsible, highly efficient, and cost-saving facility. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement via the strict and sustainable criteria of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Solaris Paper will begin transitioning its manufacturing facilities to Moreno Valley beginning this month and expects to complete the operational relocation in 2019.
