By Chad Frey
Newton Kansan
This story first published at thekansan.com Nov. 22.
Signs of an impending groudbreaking for a new manufacturing facility in Newton owned and operated by GAF, a Standard Industries company the largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer in the nation, are popping up.
First, a pair of Google pins on a map near where the facility is scheduled to begin construction next year, placed to help contractors and suppliers find the site, showed up in mid November.
And then the company issued an announcement Nov. 21 that hiring for the new facility has begun.
GAF announced it has begun hiring for key leadership positions to head up its new shingle plant in Newton, Kansas. Current positions include Plant Manager, Engineering Manager, Maintenance Manager, and Finance Manager. These roles will support the construction, commissioning and operations of the greenfield plant and play a role in the hiring of plant staff.
According to the company, following the hiring of these initial leadership positions, GAF will be hiring for salaried and hourly positions.
Announced last year, production is anticipated to begin in 2027 and reach full production capacity by mid 2029.
GAF Materials closed on a real estate purchase of 230 acres in the Logistics Park on April 27, 2023.
“This week may be one of the more historical weeks in Newton history,” said Rod Kreie, city commissioner during an April 25 commission meeting. “Certainly, it is going to be up there with almost anything else that has happened.”
In February, the City Commission approved a development agreement with GAF with a commitment to issue $350 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds for its new facility.
The IRB offer a sales tax exemption for construction materials during the construction of the facility, and up to 10 years of property tax exemption. IRBs are not an obligation of the city, nor do they count towards city debt limits.
“What you all are considering here with GAF is truly remarkable, this is one of the largest capital investments in our region in recent history,” said Andrew Nave with the Greater Wichita Partnership in April of 2023. “$350 million is a massive investment. In fact, over the last five years, the numbers that our office tracks regionally this will be the largest private sector investment anywhere in the region in the last five years.”
GAF manufactures a number of different roofing products, using 34 plants at 26 locations in the United States. The company does make shingles, and also solar shingles. The company also produces commercial roofing and waterproofing materials; and coated woven fabrics for underlayment.
GAF has not announced exactly what they expect to manufacture at the proposed facility, however, the company does estimate hiring 137 employees in the years ahead.
