Construction on the 533,853 square foot building began in December 2015 on Tioga County Industrial Park in Nichols and commercial shipments began earlier this year.
Specialty cans
The facility will produce two-piece aluminum cans in a range of sizes and employ more than 160 jobs by 2018.
The plant’s second manufacturing line was completed in April 2017.
Timothy Donahue, president/CEO, Crown, said the plant marks the industry’s first greenfield facility in the US in more than 20 years and will provide potential for further development in the Southern Tier Region, to grow the manufacturing sector.
Specialty cans, defined as sizes other than the standard diameter for 12-ounce beverages, have become a popular format for soft drinks, beer, ready-to-drink teas, coffee, sparkling waters, wine and spirits, juices and other functional beverages.
“Beverage cans remain a valued, trusted format with consumers around the world due to their portability, durability and sustainability. In the United States, demand for specialty can sizes is flourishing as brand owners seek to refresh their packaging mix and increase appeal to different demographics,” said Donahue.
“This facility reflects Crown’s commitment to support its customers with capacity when and where they need it and underscores our philosophy of delivering innovative metal packaging that responds to demands of modern consumers.”
Beverage can ends
Crown currently operates 15 beverage can plants in North America, manufacturing aluminum cans ranging from 7.5-ounce to 16-ounce, as well as beverage can ends.
The greenfield plant project received support from New York’s Empire State Development, Tioga County, the Town of Nichols and New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG).
"Crown Holdings' decision to choose Tioga County to build its first new US plant in decades demonstrates the tangible success being generated by the Southern Tier Soaring economic development plan,” said Howard Zemsky, president, Empire State Development.
Since 2010, NYSEG and RG&E have provided more than $75m to growing companies across New York through its economic development programs.
The opening of the facility coincides with Crown’s 125th anniversary year.
Crown operates 146 facilities in 36 countries and has a diversified metal packaging technology portfolio that serves the beverage, food, personal care, household and luxury markets.