MST Rebar Inc. to Create 83 Jobs at New Fiberglass Facility in NC

Fiberglass Rebar Manufacturer Brings New Jobs and Investment to Bladen County

In a significant boost to the local economy, MST Rebar Inc., a company specializing in fiberglass rebar, is set to create 83 jobs in Bladen County, North Carolina. This development comes as the company plans to invest over $15.5 million in establishing its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Bladenboro.

Governor Josh Stein expressed enthusiasm about the move, stating, “North Carolina has the largest and most talented advanced manufacturing workforce in the Southeast – and it’s a great place to live. We are pleased to welcome MST Rebar to our state.”

Originating from Toronto, MST Rebar, Inc. has made its mark by engineering a pioneering fiberglass composite material used in industrial construction. Founded in 2012 by two brothers, the company has quickly risen to become a leading sustainable concrete reinforcement supplier with an increasing demand in the transportation sector. The new 56,000-square-foot facility in Bladenboro will boast the capability to produce up to 75 miles of rebar daily.

“MST-BAR is a revolutionary industrial product,” remarked David Richardson, President of MST Rebar. “It’s corrosion resistant, stronger than steel, lasts longer than the concrete it is reinforcing, quarter the weight of steel, which offers less workplace injuries, and allows for shipping four times as much per truckload. Our fiberglass rebar is produced with less energy and has a very low carbon footprint. We are proud to have MST-BAR in the construction of North Carolina’s Alligator River Bridge.”

The confidence in North Carolina’s economic environment was echoed by Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley: “In a dynamic economy, global manufacturers want to operate in places where they know they can succeed. MST Rebar’s decision to make Bladen County the base to produce their innovative fiberglass rebar speaks volumes to their confidence in our talent, business climate, and manufacturing economy.”

The new facility will offer positions ranging from apprentice machinists and inspectors to engineers. While salaries for these roles will vary, the average annual wage is projected to be $54,361, surpassing the county’s average wage of $46,867. This could result in an annual payroll impact exceeding $4.5 million for the area.

To support MST Rebar’s establishment in North Carolina, a performance-based grant of $250,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will be provided, contingent on job creation and investment benchmarks. This fund aids local governments in attracting economic investments, with a requirement for local matching funds.

Senator Brent Jackson hailed the announcement, stating, “This is outstanding news for Bladen County, and the entire state of North Carolina.” Representative William D. Brisson added, “MST Rebar could have made this investment anywhere in the world, but they chose Bladen County. We look forward to welcoming them to our community and developing a long-term partnership that supports our shared vision and growth.”

Key partners in this initiative include the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, North Carolina General Assembly, and several local organizations and educational institutions, all contributing to the successful recruitment of MST Rebar to Bladenboro.