Partnership Assists in August Announcements

Two new companies – Ardagh Group and Canline Systems – are moving to the Roanoke Region.

Ardagh Group, a Luxembourg-based global leader in metal and glass packaging for the food and beverage industry, will locate a state-of-the-art metal can manufacturing facility in the 525,000 square foot former Hanover Direct distribution center on Hollins Road.

The company will create 96 new jobs and invest $93.5 million in real estate and equipment. It is the largest single manufacturing investment in Roanoke County history.

Earlier this year Ardagh Group signed a long term supply agreement with a major customer, ConAgra, requiring the company to add capacity in the eastern United States. It selected Roanoke County over locations in Kentucky, North Carolina, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

Canline Systems, an international supplier of conveyor systems for the packaging industry, will open its first U.S. facility in Roanoke County, creating 25 new jobs over the next three years. The company is expanding to the U.S. to be closer to customers including Ardagh.

Netherlands-based Canline Systems designs and manufactures automated product conveyor systems that use magnetic and vacuum technologies in production lines.

The company will design, manufacture and assemble the systems at its 10,500 square foot facility at 6525 Commonwealth Drive in Southwest Roanoke County. The company will also serve other customers throughout the United States from this facility.

“In one month, we welcomed foreign direct investment from two companies,” said Beth Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership.  “That kind of presence strengthens the economy and reputation of the Roanoke Region.”

The Roanoke Regional Partnership and Roanoke County Office of Economic Development worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Virginia Department of Business Assistance, Appalachian Power, Norfolk Southern, Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group, and Roanoke Gas Company on the Ardagh project.  The Partnership, Roanoke County, and Waldvogel Commercial Properties worked together on the Canline Project.