SYRACUSE — Polywood is set to expand all the way to Roxboro, N.C., where the new operation is planned on being ready for distribution by the second quarter of 2019 — just in time for the season. While the Polywood headquarters will remain in Syracuse, the company is seeking to continue creating an impact in the recycled furniture industry.

“We continue to grow dramatically, but our footprint here is somewhat limited,” explained Ryan Zimmerman, director of human resources. “The recycled furniture industry keeps growing in leaps and bounds, so this edition will helps us in growth in the next five years.”

Polywood looked into other states like Virginia, South Carolina and Nevada, but in the end North Carolina was the best option for a successful expansion. Most Polywood products are shipped to the southeastern states, which made Roxboro an area of interest. North Carolina’s local labor market and building availability also played a factor in the decision.

In Syracuse, Polywood’s various community outreach programs have portrayed the company’s mission in wanting to continue recycling while selling sturdy, long-lasting products to customers. It’s too early to tell if the new plant will be able to participate in outreach programs with local organizations and businesses, but it isn’t off the table either. Polywood still has a few other challenges to overcome.

“We’re facing good challenges, the kind that come with growth. We have an awesome IT department that’s helping us with some state of the art video conference equipment, so the two companies can communicate,” Zimmerman informed. “The culture in Roxboro is different than the culture in Syracuse, so melding the two cultures together is something we’ll have to do so we have one company voice.”

Last year Polywood saved 55 million milk jugs from a landfill and will be pushing 80 million jugs this year. The waste will go into Polywood’s product that is expected to last for more than 20 years.

The new plant will sell recycled plastics to other businesses while holding a reclamation center for all types of recycled plastics to be processed and reused.