May 8—SAYBROOK — The owners of Plastpro Inc. sponsored a celebration for workers on Tuesday afternoon to commemorate the company's 30 years in business, including 19 here.

Plastpro owners Shirley and Walter Wang made the trip from New Jersey to celebrate the company's continued growth.

Shirley Wang said she remembers the day she wrote the check to buy the property and equipment to make fiberglass doors at the Ashtabula County facility. She said she had some apprehension about how things would go.

She said it was challenging but successful and thanked all of the employees for their part in making it happen.

"This journey was not easy. ... I was so scared, but you guys [the employees] came through for us," she said.

The employees were treated to lunch, drinks and a chance to hang out together.

The Saybrook Township property was bought in 2002 and the the operation opened in 2005. The 250,000-square foot building recently received a 50,000-square foot expansion to handle the painting of the doors in house, said Plastpro Human Resources Coordinator Gregory King.

"This is the [company's] only manufacturing facility," he said.

Plant Manager Brian Slawson said the facility can make one million doors a year under 24-hour, seven-days-a-week production. He said normally work is done five to six days a week on an around-the-clock work schedule.

"I think we have produced 800,000 doors in a year," he said.

The company also recently purchased adjacent land for possible further expansion, Slawson said. He said the proposed expansion could occur in the next 18 to 24 months and could be as large as 250,000 to 500,000 square feet.

King said the company treats workers well and the jobs are well thought of by those seeking work.

"We are one of the few employers that don't require a high school diploma," he said.

Ashtabula County Commissioner J.P. Ducro presented a proclamation to the company during the event.

"Keep up the great work and giving back to the community," he said.

Shirley Wang said there were ups and downs and challenges during the company's growth, but thanks to the employees the company continues to grow.

Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County Executive Director Greg Myers said Plastpro is an example of the new, clean manufacturing operations county leaders hope to draw to the community.