Packaging Company To Build North American Headquarters in Cherokee

Photo: concept rendering of new MSK Covertech-Group plant. Credit: Cherokee Office of Economic Development

The next time you come across a pallet of merchandise bound in shrink wrap, you may think of Cherokee County’s latest industrial coup.

In just a few months, MSK Covertech Inc. is expected to break ground on its new North American headquarters, which will be located in Cherokee 75 Corporate Park, the Cherokee Office of Economic Development said in its press release.

The park sits along Highway 92 about one mile east of Interstate 75 in the southwest corner of the county.

This $3.8 million endeavor is expected to bring at least 30 high-paying, white collar careers to Cherokee County, with the promise of continued expansion.

MSK is one of the leading international manufacturers of packaging and logistics systems for pallet load units and large containers. The corporation is based in Kleve on the Lower Rhine in Germany. However, many of its North American customers are companies headquartered in Georgia, such as Coca-Cola, Shaw, Quikrete and Georgia Pacific.

“MSK was unique, because the corporation had several specialized needs,” said Marshall Day, chairman of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development’s board of directors. “For example, the facility had to have 30-foot ceilings in order for the automated machinery to operate. This site works perfectly for that and gives them the opportunity to double in size.”

Within 12 months of the facility becoming operational, MSK will start light assembly of its stretch hooding equipment. In addition, MSK will now have engineering capabilities in the U.S. Heretofore, that aspect of the corporation has been limited to Europe.

“As an international company, we knew we wanted to be along the I-75 corridor,” said Braden Camp, Vice President of MSK. “Cherokee had a site we could move quickly on as well as a highly educated workforce.”

This venture gets COED one step closer to keeping the county’s well-educated residents working in Cherokee County (nearly 47 percent of Cherokee residents have a post-secondary degree).

“We’re finally starting to see a shift in perception,” said CoED President Misti Martin. “People are starting to realize Cherokee County isn’t simply a bedroom community of Atlanta. There’s no reason we can’t attract the highest paying jobs and the best skilled work force in the state. Every day, with each and every success, we’re proving Cherokee is one of the best areas in Georgia to live and work.”

Statistics alone indicate Cherokee’s stronghold. From 2010 to 2014, the county has seen an 84 percent increase in the number of prospects express interest in the county.

Each year, there’s been an increase. Each year, has been better than the last.

According to CoED, some of the positions and salaries MSK will soon be looking to fill:

• engineers, $80-120k
• service technicians, $50-90k
• administrative, $60-90k
• executive/management, $90-160k
• project manager, $75-100k