Thomas Swan acquires chemicals manufacturing facility

The UK-based company will upgrade the US facility to a state-of-the-art plant for the custom manufacture of speciality chemicals

UK based Thomas Swan has completed the purchase of the Opelika, Alabama speciality chemicals manufacturing facility formerly owned by Apollo Chemicals, part of Mt. Vernon Chemicals group.

Thomas Swan is planning a major overhaul and upgrade of the facility to a state-of-the-art, flexible plant for the custom manufacture of speciality chemicals. Significant glass-lined reactor capacity will be included in the design. The move follows increased demand from Thomas Swan’s contract manufacture customers for glass-lined manufacturing capacity in the US, supported by the company’s outstanding technical capabilities. No products from Mt. Vernon Chemicals were included in the purchase.

“Existing custom manufacturing customers have asked us to add US manufacturing capability, providing a strong business case for this acquisition. We will shortly commence the process of fitting it out to allow significant room for sales growth, with the site capable of large future expansions in addition to the current plans,” said Tom Porter, Business Director of the Custom Manufacturing Division, Thomas Swan

 “This is a major step in the implementation of our global expansion strategy and will provide a valuable manufacturing hub for us in the US. We expect the Opelika plant to support our continued recent growth in custom manufacture by opening up the U.S. market to us. Flexible, glass-lined capacity is rare in the US, especially at the mid-scale that we will offer,” said Harry Swan, Managing Director, Thomas Swan.