Oklahoma City, Okla., -- The Pliant Corporation announced earlier this year that it would be investing $15 million into three of its North American plants. Company officials said that as part of the expansion efforts nationwide, Pliant is adding a new $5.2 million printing press to its McAlester, Okla. facility.

To celebrate, the company will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 5. The event will be held in the existing Pliant building at 1 Edison Drive, Steven W. Taylor Industrial Park, in McAlester.

Several state, city and company representatives will be on hand for the groundbreaking including Gov. Brad Henry.

Pliant Plant Manager Terry Lanham said the expansion will initially result in about 20 new employees, but is part of an expanded plan that could result in up to 60 new workers in the next few years. Based on this expanded plan, Department of Commerce officials said the company has been approved for the Quality Jobs incentive program.

Construction is set to begin on a new building for Pliant which will be built through a package created through the McAlester Foundation and the city of McAlester, working through MEDS. Plans call for the 45,600 square foot building to be completed within 150 calendar days after construction begins.

"This investment is an important part of Pliant's overall growth strategy and confirms our long-term commitment to bringing value-added capabilities into the personal care market. . .,” said Ken Swanson, President of Pliant Corporation's Personal Care and Food Products.

Lanham said Pliant will lease the building for $14,500 a month, with a two-year option at the end of seven years and an option to purchase the building at any time for the cost of the project.

"It will open up about another 45,000 square feet we can use for manufacturing," Lanham said.

The Pliant Corporation is a leading producer of value-added film and flexible packaging products for Consumer Food packaging into the bakery, frozen food and poultry industries and supplies solutions for the personal care, medical, industrial and agricultural markets. The Company operates 25 manufacturing and research and development facilities around the world, and employs approximately 3,015 people.

For more information about the groundbreaking or the Pliant Corporation, contact Terry Lanham at 918-426-4800 or visit the company Web site at www.pliantcorp.com.