Gov. Nathan Deal announced today that Shaw Industries Group, Inc. will expand its reclamation and recycling program to include a new Evergreen facility in Ringgold, creating at least 70 new jobs and investing more than $17 million into the facility.
“Shaw’s expansion is another testament to why Georgia is the No. 1 place for business,” said Deal. “This company has played a major role in establishing Georgia as a leader in the floor covering sector. Through its commitment to the use of more sustainable materials, I am confident that Shaw will continue to keep up with ever-changing demands through Georgia’s top-ranked business climate.”
Complementing Shaw’s comprehensive portfolio of recycling processes, Evergreen Ringgold will create a high-purity, post-consumer recycled material that can be used in a broad range of applications.
“Evergreen Ringgold expands our efforts to keep end-of-use carpet out of landfills,” states Paul Murray, Shaw Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs. “By expanding our recycling portfolio, we are illustrating our continued commitment to converting something that historically may have been seen as waste into a resource that has a longer life in the economy.”
Shaw’s continued investment in recycling technology demonstrates its commitment to recycled products: a certification program called Cradle to Cradle. As Shaw’s portfolio of recycle investments continues to expand, so does its Cradle-to-Cradle certified products. Sixty-four percent of the products the company sells are Cradle-to-Cradle certified and Shaw has committed 100 percent of its products to being designed according to Cradle-to-Cradle protocol by 2030.
Shaw employs approximately 15,000 associates in its operations throughout Georgia. Georgia QuickStart, the nation’s top-ranked workforce training program, will work with Shaw to ensure its employees receive the proper training to support the company’s recycling investments. Evergreen Ringgold will be operational in 2015 and will be located in what was previously Shaw Plant 37 — a rug distribution center. Shaw worked closely with the Catoosa County Development Authority, the city of Ringgold and the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD).
“Shaw has been a valuable longtime partner to the City of Ringgold,” said city of Ringgold Vice-Mayor Nick Millwood. “Their new commitment ensures our community will continue to grow and keep jobs close to home.”
Carl Campbell, GDEcD senior project manager for the existing industry team, oversaw the project on behalf of the state of Georgia.
“Shaw’s decision to expand underscores how leading global companies in Georgia remain competitive in today’s economy,” said GDEcD Commissioner Chris Carr. “As the company continues to benefit from our low-cost of doing business and Georgia QuickStart — it’s clear that Georgia is the ideal location for Shaw to grow.”
About Shaw
The world’s largest carpet manufacturer and a leading floorcovering provider, Shaw Industries Group, Inc. is a vertically integrated manufacturer that supplies carpet, hardwood, laminate, resilient, tile & stone flooring products and synthetic turf to residential and commercial markets worldwide. A wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. with more than $4.8 billion in annual sales and 23,000 associates, Shaw is headquartered in Dalton with salespeople and/or offices located throughout the United States, as well as Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, Singapore and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit http://shawfloors.com/about-shaw.