Georgia – A $5 million manufacturing investment is headed to Gainesville, but the bigger number for Hall County may be 140. That is how many new jobs Cirkla expects to create as it builds its first local production operation over the next three years.
The location also puts the packaging company near one of Georgia’s newest logistics assets. Cirkla will open its facility at the Gainesville 85 Business Center, giving the manufacturer access to a region state officials increasingly view as an important link between Georgia businesses and global markets.
Gov. Brian Kemp announced the project, saying Cirkla’s decision reflects the state’s growing logistics network and infrastructure investments.
“Cirkla’s choice to build their packaging solutions facility in the heart of one of Georgia’s strongest export hubs is a testament to our state’s logistics capabilities and assets,” said Governor Brian P. Kemp. “Investments in infrastructure by the Georgia Ports Authority, including the brand-new Gainesville Inland Port, are helping deliver products to markets all over the world, and we look forward to Cirkla’s success as a result.”
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Cirkla develops and manufactures molded fiber packaging designed as an alternative to traditional rigid plastics. Its products are made from plant-based materials including sugarcane bagasse, bamboo and wood pulp.
The Gainesville operation will support the company’s full molded fiber portfolio, including Modified Atmosphere Packaging, or MAP, and overwrap trays. Plans for the facility include precision automation, patent-pending technology, in-house quality laboratories and expanded finishing capabilities.
For Cirkla, the Georgia project represents a move to place more production closer to a growing U.S. customer base.
“Our manufacturing in India runs at scale and has validated this technology in real production environments across some of the most demanding protein categories,” said Vaibhav Goel, CEO of Cirkla. “As U.S. demand has grown, so has the case for a domestic footprint – this facility brings that same capability closer to our customers, built for the national rollouts ahead.”
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The company’s packaging work extends beyond food trays. Cirkla has developed products for meat and ready meals, along with dairy tubs, compostable coffee capsules, scoops and other molded fiber applications. More information about its products is available through Cirkla’s website.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development worked on the competitive project through Regional Project Manager Brandon Lounsbury, in partnership with the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Quick Start.
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Once operational, the Gainesville facility will add another manufacturing employer to Hall County while giving Cirkla a domestic base for expanding U.S. production. With about 140 positions planned during the next three years, the project ties together two areas Georgia has been investing heavily in: advanced manufacturing and the infrastructure needed to move products efficiently to customers.
