A company that manufactures paper honeycomb for use in automotive and packaging applications is expanding its Pittsylvania County factory.
Axxor, which began production in Ringgold in 2012, will add 21 jobs and invest $3.5 million in machinery, the company said Wednesday at an announcement attended by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
The transportation sector, which uses paper honeycomb as a lighter-weight alternative to metal in some components, has been a key market for the company, said Steven Boerrigter, operations manager Axxor. The expansion is related in part to a partnership with a Ford supplier to provide materials for the new Bronco, the company said.
The growth also will allow the company to capitalize on a surge in demand for packaging materials as the e-commerce sector continues to grow, Boerrigter said. Axxor’s paper honeycomb also is used in applications including doors and furniture.
The company expects to have the new production line running in about six months.
Company spokeswoman Krista Boerrigter said 42 people currently work at the Ringgold facility.