Georgia-Pacific officially opened its new gypsum wallboard production facility in Sweetwater, Tx., on Oct. 4.

Initially announced in September 2020, the $325-million facility is G-P’s second gypsum wallboard production facility in Nolan County, and the first the company has built since 2004.

The Sweetwater complex encompasses more than 700,000 sq. ft. One of the most innovative gypsum facilities in the country, it features state-of-the-art technology and is designed to help ensure safety, quality and efficiency.

“Georgia-Pacific is keenly focused on the future and committed to innovation and meeting the needs of our customers,” said David Neal, president of Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. “The two operations combined will supply customers and distribution partners with more than 1 billion sq. ft. of gypsum products each year and create more than 100 new jobs. This investment strengthens Georgia-Pacific’s capacity to meet growing customer needs in Texas’ residential, commercial, and industrial construction markets.”

The new facility is adjacent to Georgia-Pacific’s first gypsum wallboard facility in Sweetwater, purchased by the company in 1996. The existing facility has been operating since the 1950s. Over the last year, Georgia-Pacific has invested approximately $16 million in technical and safety upgrades at the plant, including an Energy Optimization System (EOS), auto-guided vehicles (AGVs), an automated robotic riser system, auto-splicing equipment, and upgraded packaging equipment. They also upgraded the employee facilities.

G-P has invested more than $735 million into its Texas facilities since 2013. The company has approximately 2,520 employees in Texas, and operates 10 facilities that produce plywood, lumber, particleboard, gypsum and corrugated products.