American Plastics investing in Tiffin plant, adding 138 jobs

American Plastics, a plastic injection molding company south of Tiffin, is planning a $3.5 million investment, and is hiring more than 130 workers by the end of the year, according to a news release from Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership. The new investment and job creation is due to the acquisition of the former Katy Industries facility by Highview Capital in 2018 and the additional business to produce plastic shelving and totes under the Craftsman brand label for Lowe's, the release states. American Plastics' Tiffin facility is to be the sole manufacturer of shelving for the Craftsman brand, to be available at the more than 1,500 Lowe's stores in North America, the release said. The plant specializes in the production of plastic shelving and plastic totes, including the Commander and Blue Hawk name brands for Lowe's; Husky for Home Depot; and Tough Box for Sam's Club. With headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, American Plastics has 14 other facilities throughout the United States, including facilities in Sycamore, Findlay and Arizona. The expansion includes a commitment to a second $2.5 million phase of investment in new tooling at the 68,000-square-foot Hopewell Township plant, adding to the completion of $1 million investment in equipment and facility upgrades in 2018. Company employment, which was 27 at the beginning of 2018, is expected to reach or exceed 165 by the end of 2019, representing a net 138 increase. "This is a huge positive step forward for our operations here and represents both the company's bright future and the quality of our workforce," Joe Roth, plant manager for American Plastics in Tiffin, said in the release. "We contribute our growth and success to our dedicated team, innovation, quality and customer relationships. I only see this getting stronger as we grow along side with the city of Tiffin."