Stark State Partners with Kohler Coating to Create Jobs 

Stark State College will join with Kohler Coating in a unique partnership that has the potential to create a world-class center of excellence in the design and manufacture of new engineered materials utilizing corrugated paper. The project could create as many as 450 full-time jobs and $15 million in annual payroll as it progresses through a three-phase development plan.

Kohler Coating makes thin film metering equipment that applies coatings and adhesives for the corrugating and paper industries. The company received a $750,000 grant July 31 from the Ohio Department of Commerce through the Job Ready Site Projects designed to study ways to save money, eliminate waste and save energy. The path to lower energy requires training in green curriculum; Stark State will enhance existing curriculum through its environmental, health and sciences major and develop additional curriculum for the corrugating industry. These studies will focus on the manufacturer and supplier side, according to Herb Kohler, president of Kohler Coating.

“Stark State is committed to fundamental job creation and the creation of new industry in Ohio,” said John O’Donnell, PhD, Stark State College president. “This is a necessary first step in creating a corrugating center of excellence in Ohio.”

According to Kimberly Zurz, Ohio’s director of commerce, the grant will provide an economic stimulus that could create as many as 30 highly skilled jobs in the first two years with average salaries of $45,000.

“This will revolutionize the corrugating industry,” said Canton Mayor William Healy, Jr. “There will be a very positive impact on Canton and our region. What happens in Stark County affects Canton and vice versa.”

The project also has potential to bring in global customers for training, generating local hotel and tourism revenue. Stark Development Board President Steve Paquette anticipates that $1 million to $2 million will be added to the economy by companies visiting Canton to study the project. “Kohler Coating will run the only research and development center on corrugating in the United States,” he said, “and it will be here in Stark County.”

Cargill, an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services, is the chemistry technical partner in the project.

For more information about Job Ready Site Project funding visit the cantonrep.com news story.