International company to locate U.S. operation in Lavonia

An international glass recycling company has selected Lavonia as the site of its first plant in the United States.

Franklin County Industrial Building Authority economic development director Lyn Allen said Shark Solutions A/S from Denmark plans to locate in the Lavonia Industrial Park on Gerrard Road.

“It´s great news,” Allen said. “That building has been vacant a little over three years. We´ll be their first U.S. location. It´s a good company, and they´ve got a good reputation in Europe. It´s also good news for Rooker. They´re our partner in that park. They built the building and carried it, and so we´re excited for them as much as we´re excited for ourselves, the community and the region.”

The signing of the lease agreement was the culmination of nine months of work on the part of the Shark Solutions, Rooker Company, the Industrial Building Authority, Lavonia, Industrial Properties Group, and Coldwell Banker High Country Realty.

“It has been a long process, and part of that has to do with the general economy in the United States and Europe,” Allen said. “Anytime you´re putting together a project nowadays it´s a lot different from even 10 years ago. It´s a whole different world, by all means.”

Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said, “Shark Solutions will find Georgia a good fit. We have a business culture that encourages innovation and ´green´ manufacturing. Franklin County is right on I-85, a strategic location for easy access.”

Jens Holmegaard, managing director of Shark Solutions, said his company appreciated the cooperative teamwork of everyone involved.

Allen said the company is a world leader in the recycling of PVB from laminated glass, which includes automotive windshields and architectural glass.

“They have a patented process that does that,” she said. “It´s really a very environmentally friendly process and business. In Europe, more so than in the United States, environmentally friendly processes are really important.”

The company uses the PVB to make other products, such as adhesives.

Ralph Owens, mayor of Lavonia and chairman of the Franklin County Industrial Building Authority, thanked the company for selecting the site in the county and welcomed it to Lavonia.

“We appreciate the jobs that will be created and the investment Shark Solutions will make in our community,” Owens said.

He also said several European companies, in addition to American companies, have found Lavonia and Franklin County a great place to do business.

The company plans to hire about 10 people in the beginning stages of the new operation and hopes to open the new facility after the first of the year, officials said.