ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610070023
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE
The Morton Powder Co. plant in Wytheville has announced plans for a $4.5 million addition, including a quality control laboratory, administrative offices and employee training quarters.
The expansion also will provide more warehouse space for raw materials used in producing specialty chemicals for powder paint coatings on cars, appliances and other consumer products.
"This is a big thing for us right now. We've been working on it for several years and it's going to happen now," said Dave Elmore, who has been working on the project for the past 18 months. "It's finally going to happen."
Elmore succeeded Chuck Lanigan as manager of the Wytheville plant. Lanigan retired near the start of this year.
Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, attended last weekend's formal groundbreaking for the expansion. "Today the company is making another major investment," he said.
"Your $4.5 million investment is a tribute to your business climate here in Wytheville and also to your dedicated work force," said David Dixon, acting director of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance.
Ron Strohl, Morton's director of operations, said he visited 13 states while deciding where to locate a plant and had pretty well settled on Tazewell County before he took a second look at Wytheville. He said former Wytheville councilman Dick Phillippi and other town leaders convinced him to locate here instead.
The Wytheville plant was cited for its superior safety record as well as the dedication of its employees. "It's real simple. It's called attitude," said Jim Swanson, Morton vice president and general manager.
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB