(11/29/2006)

Brookings Company Expands, Adds 50 Jobs

Customs plastics manufacturer building a new facility

PIERRE, S.D. – Falcon Plastics, Inc. has outgrown its production space.

The manufacturer of custom plastic injection moldings is building a 60,000 square foot manufacturing facility and adding 50 full-time positions in Brookings, S.D., adding to the company’s current operations in Brookings and Madison, S.D. and Lexington, Tenn.

“In its 31 years of operation, Falcon Plastics, Inc. has proven to be an outstanding corporate citizen of South Dakota,” said Gov. Mike Rounds. “The expansion is good news for Brookings and our entire state. Their success marks progress on the state’s 2010 Initiative goal of increasing our gross state product and builds on the region’s strong manufacturing base.”

Falcon Plastics, Inc. will utilize $348,000 from the state’s Revolving Economic Development & Initiative (REDI) Fund to build the facility located at Block 4 of the Telkamp Industrial Addition. It is expected to be in operation by June 2007.

The new building will have high sidewalls and an overhead crane system to accommodate large press molding. “We’re currently running at capacity in both our Brookings and Madison facilities. We simply need more floor space to continue to grow in South Dakota. The new facility will allow us to take advantage of the strong growth we are seeing in the large product and component market,” said Jay Bender, president of Falcon Plastics, Inc.

The company’s Madison operations will continue to manufacture items for the toner industry and continue to develop its blow molding business. The existing Brookings facility will focus on smaller tonnage work, shifting larger presses and associated molding to the new facility.

Falcon Plastics, Inc. has designed and produced products for companies such as Toshiba, Larson, Daktronics, and 3M, using expertise in areas including: scientific molding, design, tooling, automation, blow molding, prototyping, insert molding, sonic welding, hot stamping, assembly, and much more.

“The community of Brookings is grateful for companies like Falcon Plastics, Inc. that not only provide great jobs, but care and invest in the future of the city. Falcon Plastics is a great asset to Brookings, and we’re excited to see its continued success in South Dakota,” said Al Heuton, executive director of the Brookings Economic Development Corporation.