Norton Building Nears Completion

Norton Packaging could be producing plastic pails in the Industrial Park right here in Monticello just two months from now.

Jim Skinner, Plant Manager, said they are looking at getting a certificate of occupancy by mid-February, and that they will begin slowly bringing the equipment on line, and may begin a small operation by the beginning of March.

From the inception of placing the plant to Jasper County until it is running full steam ahead and possibly expanding in future years, the Nortons have expressed a desire to hire locally. Mr. Skinner lives in Newborn and has for the last quarter-century.

And, just three weeks ago, Scott Wingate of Monticello was hired as Production Manager for the plant. He has been working with Mr. Skinner preparing for the opening of the plant, and will view the company’s operations in Indiana next week.

Norton Packaging uses injection molding to make plastic pails for a number of uses.

One of those uses is for Kikkoman soy sauce which is delivered to restaurants in plastic pails. Because of that, this facility is going to be working on the safe quality food initiative, and that will be an emphasis here that is not at the company’s other plants in Indiana and California.’

Mr. Skinner said the want a structured and controlled start-up, and initially the plant will have two injection lines and a printing area where they do ultra-violet care offset printing. Mr. Skinner said Tuesday he had hired a Maintenance Manager, and will be looking for quality assurance workers and production workers next.

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However, he still has a few key positions to fill and has received a lot of interest from people in the area with plastics training and background. He said they are focusing on industry-specific managers.

The plant will open with just two lines operating, but plans to have four injection machines running by the end of 2014. Those machines will likely run 24 hours a day, and he said employees will work 12 hour shifts.

The plant will employ 18-22 people initially to make the five gallon and 20-liter pails.

Mr. Skinner has been operating out of Southern Crescent Technical College, wince he was hired last May. The college has allowed him to use space there for an office all this time. he said they had been most accommodating, and praised their hospitality.

He said that the college may be able to do some quick start training for the plant in the future. And, if things go as hoped, the plant will face major expansion in just three years.

However, Mr. Skinner stressed that protecting their customers and making sure they have a quality product will come before they begin churning out thousands. He said the Nortons have a motto, “If we don’t take care of our customers, somebody else will,” and they try to stay mindful of what is best for their customers.

David Dyer with the Development Authority of Jasper County said, “We are appreciative of the ongoing support provided by the Ga. Department of Economic Development, Central Georgia EMC, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG), the Ga. Department of Community Affairs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Mayor Bryan Standifer and the city council and Commission Chair Carl Pennamon and the board of commissioners. Their support has made this project possible.”