The Arizona Department of Commerce and Arizona Public Service (APS) today officially welcome Republic Plastics Ltd. to San Manuel, Ariz. Headquartered in Texas, Republic Plastics is a top disposable tableware manufacturer, producing primarily private label plates, bowls, saucers, and lunch trays sold by leading retailers like Wal-Mart, Kroger (Fry’s) and Bashas.

Republic Plastics plans to hire nearly 100 employees. It has made a $8.5 million capital investment in San Manuel after a second expansion next year. Commerce presented the company with a Job Training Grant of $193,182 to hire and train 25 new employees for its initial start-up this month. Luis Castro will be the San Manuel Operations Manager.

“Arizona is a natural place for our West Coast plant because it provides a strong base from which to do business and gives us access to our major new and growing markets,” explained Gino Inman, Republic Plastics President & CEO. “We look forward to growing a highly successful operation here and providing the very best manufacturing job opportunities in the area.”

Republic Plastics is locating at the former BHP copper mine that closed in the summer of 1999 following a slump in copper prices. That closure devastated the economy of San Manuel and forced many residents to leave in search of new jobs. A brighter future is ahead: Republic Plastics’ corporate culture is to become active in its local community.