Waco, Texas June 20, 2023 – A new era of production was officially inaugurated last Thursday with the opening of AJ Nonwoven’s new plant in Waco, Texas. The event was marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by AstenJohnson business leaders, government representatives and members of the local community.

Strategically located in Waco, this ultramodern plant is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art needle punch technologies, which will significantly increase the company's production capacity. The new facility represents a major investment and demonstrates the company's ongoing commitment to growth and expansion.

AstenJohnson CEO Kevin Frank expressed his gratitude to the employees and partners who have contributed to the realization of this ambitious project. “I am grateful to the countless people who have helped us create and launch the most modern nonwovens plant in the world. With state-of-the-art machinery, climate control, and competitive wages, we hope to be part of the Waco landscape for a long time to come.“

The plant in Waco has been designed for fast collaboration with customers, high quality products, and responsiveness. Waco is a prime location to help the company achieve those goals. AJ Nonwovens President, Neil Johnson said “Our workforce will be highly skilled, able to make decisions on the fly, and supportive. We found those characteristics intrinsic to the Waco community. We’re excited to see the dynamic new products we can develop here.”

AJ Nonwovens has brought AstenJohnson’s Zero Accident Culture (ZAC) to the new location. “The ZAC program not only protects our most valuable asset, our associates, it also puts continuous improvement at the forefront of our business,” said Guillaume Bernard, Waco Operations Leader. “This strengthens our teamwork and our products, in addition to preventing workplace accidents and injuries.”

The Waco plant is a model of sustainability and energy efficiency, with environmental initiatives integrated into its design.  AstenJohnson is committed to minimizing its impact on the environment while delivering superior quality products, in keeping with its Sustainability initiatives.

This opening marks a major milestone in the company's history and paves the way for new opportunities for growth and success. The AJ Nonwovens plant is poised to stimulate the local economy and bring lasting benefits to the Waco community and its residents.