YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Kimberly-Clark Corp. confirmed Thursday afternoon that it will move forward with a long-anticipated project at the site of the former BDM Steel plant in Trumbull County.
In a company news release posted to its website, the Dallas-based consumer paper products manufacturer said it will build a facility of more than 1 million square feet as part of a $2 billion investment in expanding its U.S. manufacturing capabilities over five years.
“This landmark investment represents a strategic bet on the American consumer and our ability to drive innovation-led sustainable growth for Kimberly-Clark,” Russ Torres, group president, Kimberly-Clark North America, said in the release. “It reflects the confidence we have in our long-term growth plans and complements a broad range of commercial and [research and development] investments we have been making throughout the business as part of our Powering Care transformation journey.”
The Warren plant “will provide the capacity needed to unleash future growth for Kimberly-Clark’s fastest growing personal care categories,” the company said in the release. “Its proprietary manufacturing technologies will enable the creation of new and improved next-generation consumer products, rooted in material invention, product engineering and manufacturing process innovation.
Gov. Mike DeWine said Ohio welcomes Kimberly-Clark’s first investment in the state.
“Kimberly-Clark has advanced-production facilities all over the world, and the fact that they are now coming to Trumbull County says a great deal about the area’s workforce and Ohio’s leadership in rebuilding the domestic manufacturing supply,” he said.
Kimberly-Clark, which manufactures brands such as Kleenex tissues, Scott towels and Huggies diapers, purchased 560 acres of the former BDM Steel property from the Western Reserve Port Authority in December 2023 for $9.9 million but did not specify plans for the property, which is in Howland and Warren townships.
Earlier this week, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority in Columbus approved a Job Creation Tax Credit worth an estimated $8.34 million for the company. According to a news release from DeWine’s office, the proposed project is expected to create 491 full-time-equivalent positions and generate $49.1 million in new annual payroll.
Approval of the 10-year, 1.837% tax credit followed approval of local assistance by the port authority and Trumbull County Board of Commissioners.
Pictured at top: A rendering of Kimberly-Clark’s proposed facility in Trumbull County.