Interior construction of a new press line.


Kronotex USA Holdings Inc. has almost finished the expansion of its Kronotex Flooring LLC manufacturing facility in Barnwell, S.C. The construction project, which began last fall, will enhance clean energy development and increase production capacity by 60 percent with the installation of a third set of high-speed laminating and profiling lines, according to the company.

The new 225,000 sq. ft. distribution warehouse nears completion.

“We are very pleased that we’re progressing ahead of schedule,” said Norm Voss, president and ceo of Kronotex USA Holdings Inc. “The new distribution warehouse and offices will be complete within the next two weeks, the profiling line will be in production by July and the laminating line soon thereafter.”

A new raw material receiving area under construction.

The expansion of Kronotex USA’s Barnwell facility will enable the company to produce a complete line of laminate flooring products with improved design, which were previously only produced in the company’s European factories and imported by Kronotex USA. The increase in both capacity and capability will create new jobs in Barnwell while providing Kronotex customers with higher value products more quickly and more reliably, in addition to reducing their delivery costs and working capital requirements, Kronotex noted.

Pictured is the front entrance to new offices under construction.

Kronotex’s expansion project, which includes 225,000 sq. ft. of additional warehouse space and new factory, administrative and sales offices, will create 40 new American jobs with a capital investment of $45 million.

“This significant investment during a time of weak economic growth is a testimonial to the excellent quality of our products and our work force in Barnwell,” Voss said. “We could not have continued to grow our business during these tough economic conditions if it weren’t for the close working relationships we have developed with our customers and critical vendors.”