New facility enhances company’s production capabilities and creates local job opportunities

PPE manufacturer Fire-Dex is set to establish a new production centre in Old Fort, North Carolina.

Marking its fourth major production centre, the 25,000-square-foot facility, located on 59 Commerce Street, will crucially contribute to the company’s core objectives of maintaining quality craftsmanship, ensuring prompt delivery, and providing excellent customer service.

Strengthening Fire-Dex’s presence on the East Coast

John Karban, Fire-Dex‘s Vice President of Operations, stated: “Our footprint is rapidly expanding westward, we serve a large portion of the East Coast with many relationships that go back decades.

“Old Fort presents a unique opportunity to position critical resources closer to major customers and, at the same time, boost the local economy by keeping a number of jobs in Old Fort.”

Fire-Dex’s entrance into Old Fort comes after the acquisition of a recently vacated apparel manufacturing building that had over 60 employees.

With its mission to provide exceptional facilities, Fire-Dex has prioritised rehiring these workers, aiming to establish an exceptional sewing-ready facility endowed with skilled personnel and leadership.

Fire-Dex: A community-focused approach

Bill Burke, Chairman and Owner of Fire-Dex, said: “It was late in June when we found out about these jobs and flew our executives to Old Fort the following week.

“Within 10 days a lease was signed for the facility, and we started the process of bringing these former employees onboard.”

The company has already started its operations in Old Fort, integrating its business into the local community, hiring local workers, and beginning the process of setting up the Fire-Dex facility.

The new facility is anticipated to operate at full PPE production capacity over the next 18 months, with a projection to hire up to 200 full-time sewers to meet garment assembly needs.

Fire-Dex is committed to maintaining the same high standards across all its facilities, as emphasised by Karban: “This includes Pelham, Georgia, where back in 2018 we succeeded in keeping over 50 jobs in the region after making it our home, and have since expanded to employ over 100 team members.

“More recently, our fast growth has made the addition of a fourth production centre essential, and we look forward to welcoming the new associates to our Fire-Dex family.”

Those interested in joining this dynamic and supportive family can explore employment opportunities with Fire-Dex in North Carolina and beyond.

Visit the Fire-Dex website to meet a team committed to providing the best head-to-toe protection to the fire service industry.

IFSJ Comment

Fire-Dex’s new production facility in Old Fort represents a significant milestone in the company’s expansion strategy.

Besides reinforcing its production capabilities, the move is also a positive development for the local economy, reiterating the importance of manufacturing industries in providing stable employment opportunities and contributing to community growth.