A big moment for Sofidel in Duluth on Friday, as leaders celebrated the start of a $200 million dollar expansion project.

Sofidel bought the plant in West Duluth last year. And now, they are going to be adding 160 jobs and a secondary finishing process.

Right now, the 100 workers make giant rolls of tissue paper. Those are shipped to other facilities, where they are finished into toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins that we buy at stores like Costco.

Once the finishing building and automated warehouse are done next year, then that can stay right on site in Duluth.

Sofidel was started by two men in Italy, and has grown into the 5th largest tissue paper producer in the world.

CEO Luigi Lazzareschi spoke at the event on Friday.

The plan is to have the new finishing buildings ready to start operation in the first quarter of 2026.