INOLA – Sofidel’s “Pulp Nonfiction” saga in Oklahoma continued Thursday.
The Italy-based tissue manufacturer fortified its presence in the state, announcing a $775 million expansion that will create 185 new jobs at the Port of Inola.
Sofidel, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of paper for hygienic and household use and known in Italy and across Europe for its Regina brand, will construct a new building to house a 75,000 tons-per-year Valmet Through Air Drying (TAD) tissue machine and install converting lines with matching capacity to produce finished goods.
“By installing this new TAD machine at our Inola facility, Sofidel is further bolstering its U.S. manufacturing footprint and expanding the availability of premium tissue products to meet growing customer demand, particularly across the South,” Sofidel CEO Luigi Lazzareschi said Thursday at a news conference attended by an estimated 100 people. “This investment is especially meaningful as it coincides with Sofidel’s 60th anniversary, reflecting both our long-term vision and the strong relationships we have built over the years with partners and stakeholders in Oklahoma.
“We have found at the Port of Inola the right environment for continued growth and innovation, and this expansion underscores our confidence in the region and our commitment to the future of advanced tissue production in the United States.”
The project includes the expansion of the pulp and parent reel warehouse, and the construction of a fully automated finished goods warehouse – developed using E80 technology – with 100,000 pallet positions.
The expansion will encompass roughly 1 million square feet (90,000 square meters) and will bring its total footprint at the port to about 3 million square feet. The machine start-up is scheduled for the second quarter of 2028.
“Around the world, the Sofidel name has become synonymous with excellence in tissue production, operational sophistication and forward-thinking manufacturing,” Mike Neal said. “This investment reinforces that reputation while strengthening the company’s production footprint in the United States.
“…Sofidel could have expanded anywhere in the world. The fact that it chose to continue investing right here at the Port of Inola speaks volumes about this region, this workforce and this partnership.”
The new facility will also feature state-of-the-art internal logistics. An automatic system using LGVs (Laser Guided Vehicles) will transport parent reels from the paper machine to the warehouse, and an automated loading system will be connected directly to the finished goods automated warehouse.
The choice of TAD technology directly addresses the growing demand in a dynamic North American market that is increasingly oriented – also in the Private Label segment – toward premium products.
“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to see what this facility has meant to local families,” Inola Mayor Darlene Shear said. “It’s brought jobs, new opportunities and new people to our community.
“Many of those people have become our neighbors, our friends and part of that Inola family. I want to thank the leadership of Sofidel for continuing to believe in this community and continuing to grow here.”
Today, Sofidel Group operates 14 production sites in 11 states (Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Illinois, Mississippi, Florida, Ohio, South Carolina and North Carolina), and it maintains a corporate office in Horsham, Pa.
In just over a decade, Sofidel Group has become the fourth largest tissue producer in the North American market, which today accounts for 50% of Sofidel’s total revenue and where it holds a leadership position in the Private Label segment, which works with retail brands such as Costco, Walmart, Target and Amazon.
“This is a big confidence boost in Oklahoma’s economy,” Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell said. “This is confidence in Oklahoma’s workforce, infrastructure, our business climate and the future of our state."
