Steve Phillips

Commonwealth Laminating and Coating has decided to stay put and expand. The Martinsville window film manufacturer plans to expand its current manufacturing facilities in the Southwest Virginia community rather than taking the facilities overseas.

“[The expansion] involves two major pieces of equipment—a coater/laminator and a second dyeing line. With those we will be able to make some major enhancements to the operation as a whole,” says Steve Phillips, president and CEO of Commonwealth Laminating and Coating. “This expansion does three things for us. It gives us the needed capacity to support our current and projected growth. Just as importantly it also gives us enhanced capabilities to remain competitive into the future. And, last but not least, it gives us some additional capabilities to enter into parallel and related markets. If you look at window film and what goes into support operations there is a real benefit to having all of your manufacturing in one location.”

Window Film magazine attended a press conference inMartinsville where the announcement was made. The $16.5 million expansion is expected to start in 2012 and will continue over the following 18 months. The expansion will create 40 new jobs with an average salary of $50,000.

Also in attendance was Jim Chang,Virginia secretary of commerce and trade, to celebrate the company’s expansion.

“I’m honored to be here today to bring exciting news that will positively impact rural Virginia,” says Chang. “While [Commonwealth Laminating and Coating] maintains operations in eight locations in five countries around the world this facility serves not only as its headquarters, but also as its sole manufacturing facility. The equipment is high-tech and state-of-the-art and this investment will allow the company to further increase its advanced technology capabilities and advance Virginia’s position in the polymer sector as a leading film manufacturer location.”

Commonwealth Laminating and Coating attributes its ability to expand during tough economic times to overseas markets and new products.

“Right now roughly 50 percent of our business is overseas. Although North America and Europe have been hit hard, other markets in China and Asia have continued to grow,” says Phillips.