W.Va. officials announce Treplar to hire hundreds for food packaging near Martinsburg

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Berkeley County Commission joined Gov. Jim Justice on Thursday in welcoming a $50 million investment in Berkeley County that will result in the creation of 600 jobs at a state-of-the-art food packaging manufacturing facility, according to a commission news release.

“On behalf of the Berkeley County Commission, I would like to thank Treplar for their decision to invest in Berkeley County,” Berkeley County Commission President Jim Whitacre said.

“Berkeley County is committed to attracting business investment that will enhance our community as a great place to live, work and raise a family."

A joint venture of Klarpet of Turkey and Triton International Enterprises of Woodbridge, Va., Treplar is expected to begin the manufacture of eco-friendly food packaging materials in the coming weeks.

Hiring has already begun with full-time job positions available for human resources, shift supervisors, production assistants and plastic extrusion operators, according to Becky Geuther with Treplar's customer service. Information about the company, including job opportunities, is available through https://treplar.com.

The company is leasing the southernmost warehouse at 5115 Winchester Ave., Geuther said.

That area is southwest of Martinsburg.

The type of food packaging the company makes includes trays that hold raw meat, such as chicken, pork and ground beef, in grocery stores, Geuther said.

“The Berkeley County Development Authority is thrilled that Treplar, Inc., has chosen Berkeley County to produce environmentally sustainable solutions,” Berkeley County Development Authority Executive Director Jennifer Smith said through the news release.

“The BCDA is positioned to be a reliable partner for companies that invest in Berkeley County. We are excited that Treplar has joined our business community.”

Smith, in a phone interview Thursday, said the building Treplar is leasing and plans to expand operations within over the next few years, is one of three that Hines, of Texas, is developing at the Winchester Avenue site. Two of the warehouses are complete and a third, larger one is still being built. The other two buildings do not have tenants yet, she said.

The $50 million investment Treplar is making is for equipment, with plans for several production lines, Smith said.

Justice announced the economic investment by Treplar on Thursday at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce annual meeting and business summit in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

The project has been strategically planned, with a capital expenditure of $20 million allocated for the first year and an estimated total investment of $50 million by the third year, according to the governor’s office.

The initial workforce is to consist of more than 100 full-time employees, and foresees rapid growth.

Treplar plans to employ approximately 600 people by the end of 2026.

As production increases, the Treplar facility is set to expand from 140,000 square feet to 365,000 square feet, according to the local development authority.

Staff writer Julie E. Greene contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Treplar starting food packaging operation near Martinsburg, W.Va.