Wichita suburb lands pipe manufacturing company

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company, the nation's top manufacturer of cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings, announced the purchase of 80 acres of land in Maize to build a new $80 million manufacturing facility.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to expand our operations in the Midwest," said Hooper Hardison, CEO of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry. "Maize is ideally located in the center of the country to help us better serve our customers. It is also a fast-growing, business-friendly community with an excellent workforce we can draw from to staff our new plant."

The expansion, which received local, county and state government support, is expected to create 50 new, full-time positions in Maize.

"Recruiting and securing expansions like Charlotte Pipe and Foundry is key to our state's economic growth," said Lt. Gov. and Sec. of Commerce David Toland. "Great jobs — like the 50 new jobs being announced — will help attract and retain skilled workers in our state, allowing more businesses to get the job done here in Kansas."

"This is a great day for the City of Maize. Our skilled workforce is eager to get to work and help Charlotte Pipe and Foundry solidify its 122 years in business by bringing quality piping to customers across the globe while diversifying the Maize economy," said Maize Mayor Patrick Stivers. "The company's strong, family-oriented culture is a perfect fit in our community."

The 134,000-square-foot plant will be located in the 5800 block of 119th Street West with premier access to the Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (K&O), aiding in the company's production of PVC pipes for plumbing and irrigation applications. WATCO, a single-source transportation and supply chain services company, was a pivotal partner in addressing Charlotte Pipe and Foundry's rail needs.

"We extend our sincere appreciation to all government entities and business partners for their due diligence and commitment to make this land purchase and subsequent facility construction a reality. Charlotte Pipe is proud to have served its customers since 1901 and we look forward to continued success in Kansas," added Hardison.

Construction on the Maize facility, the company's seventh plastics plant in the United States, is expected to begin in January 2024 with completion slated for early 2025.

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry has plastic pipe manufacturing locations in Cameron, Texas; Muncy, Pennsylvania; and Wildwood, Florida. It operates pipe and fitting production facilities in Monroe, North Carolina; Huntsville, Alabama; and Cedar City, Utah. The company is also expected to launch its new greenfield foundry operation in Stanly County, North Carolina in late 2023 as a replacement for its more than 100-year-old plant in Charlotte.

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry is the nation's leading manufacturer of cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings for plumbing applications. Founded in 1901 and privately held, the Company is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.