The First Quality Group of companies is a closely held, diversified group of companies manufacturing, selling and distributing branded and private label absorbent hygiene, paper and packaging products into the healthcare, retail and commercial channels. The company is dedicated to meeting the demands of the market by providing innovative and high-quality products manufactured utilizing state-of-the-art technology. First Quality was established in 1989 and is headquartered in Great Neck, New York.
Global Location Strategies was commissioned by First Quality Tissue, an American towel and tissue product manufacturer, to identify and evaluate feasible mega sites for its new tissue manufacturing facility. The project required access to large quantities of process water, existing industrial infrastructure, availability of electricity and natural gas, a quality workforce, access to rail and highway infrastructure, and incentives.
Considering First Quality Tissue’s unique project requirements, GLS focused its initial search on 11 states in Southeastern US. A project of this scale would usually require up to a year, but in less than eight weeks, the team identified a shortlist of feasible locations for the new plant. The finalist locations were in Anderson, South Carolina and Augusta, Georgia. The company chose the final site due to its proximity to the growing Southeastern market, quality infrastructure and low energy costs among other factors.
In 2009, First Quality Tissue announced its selection of Anderson, South Carolina for its $1 billion manufacturing plant.
In 2010, the 2.9 million square foot facility opened its doors to better serve the needs of its partners in the household paper products market. The same year, the project was chosen by Area Development magazine as its national “Project of the Year.”
In 2021, the Anderson campus was selected for the installation of First Tissue’s next TAD paper machine. The project will add an estimated annual capacity of 70,000 tons.