Chester County, SC- March 5th, 2026
Officine Maccaferri today announces that it will expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint with a significant investment in Synteen Technical Fabrics Inc. (“Synteen”) with a newly renovated, multi-technology production facility in Fort Lawn, South Carolina. The project marks a strategic milestone in strengthening the Group’s North American manufacturing platform and reinforces its long-term commitment to domestic production while delivering significant economic impact to the local community and the surrounding region.
One year after the acquisition by Maccaferri, Synteen has emerged as a strong accelerator of the Group’s development in North America. Following twelve months of industrial and commercial integration, portfolio expansion and strong regional performance, the Group is now scaling up its U.S. operations to support a new phase of structured, long-term growth in the region. The investment significantly enhances Synteen’s ability to manufacture in the United States at scale, integrating domestic production with Maccaferri’s global engineering and manufacturing know-how.
By broadening domestic production, the company is improving supply chain reliability, reducing lead times, and strengthening service to environmental and civil engineering markets across the region, while ensuring greater customer proximity and faster response times. Production relocation to the Fort Lawn facility is being executed through a phased and carefully managed transition, designed to ensure full operational continuity for customers without supply disruption. Synteen will continue to utilize its legacy site in Lancaster, SC, transitioning it into a warehouse and logistics facility to support distribution and regional supply chain operations.
The Fort Lawn expansion project encompasses building renovations, infrastructure enhancements, and new manufacturing equipment, confirming Maccaferri’s long-term industrial commitment to the U.S. market. As operations ramp up, the facility is expected to create approximately 75 new manufacturing and operations roles, supporting workforce growth and long-term career development in Chester County. The company is investing in training programs, production and maintenance skill development, and manufacturing leadership advancement to build a strong local team. To sustain this next phase of growth, Maccaferri has recently appointed several new roles. Todd Anderson has joined the Group as Commercial Director for North America, bringing over 30 years of experience in the geosynthetics and civil infrastructure industry to accelerate commercial growth and deepen customer relationships across the region. Robert Hipszer has joined as Synteen Distribution Manager, using over three decades of experience in the industry to support the distribution network sales of Synteen and handle key accounts across North America and the Caribbean. John M. Lostumbo, PE has been named the Business Development Director for North America, focusing on new business development, technical project support, and advancement of industry standards, leveraging over 25 years of experience in civil engineering and geosynthetic design applications.
The Fort Lawn facility encompasses 133,690 square feet, compared to the current Lancaster 40,000-square-foot production facility. The expansion more than triples Synteen’s manufacturing footprint and represents a significant leap in scale and technological capability within Maccaferri’s global network. Designed as a multi-technology manufacturing hub, the site will expand Synteen’s portfolio from two to eight product families and increase the number of manufacturing technologies under one roof from one to five. All new production lines are scheduled to be fully operational by September 2026. Once fully operational, the facility will rank among the most advanced and innovative of Maccaferri’s manufacturing sites globally in terms of unique product families produced at a single location.
The site has been designed with sustainability and safety at its core. Investments in energy-efficient heating technology contribute to reduced energy intensity and lower emissions. The installation of a modern air extraction system enhances indoor environmental quality, supporting employee health and operational excellence. Additionally, the creation of a dedicated containment area for coating materials ensures responsible chemical management, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to environmental protection and regulatory compliance.
We are proud to see Officine Maccaferri continue growing its presence in Chester County through this expansion in Fort Lawn. This investment highlights the value of our community’s workforce and business environment, and this represents our largest Italian investment to date. We appreciate the company’s commitment to our region and look forward to supporting their continued success.
This investment is an important milestone for Chester County and the Fort Lawn community. We appreciate the commitment that Officine Maccaferri and Synteen Technical Fabrics are making to our county. Projects like this strengthen our local economy, provide quality employment opportunities for our residents, and reflect the positive momentum our community continues to experience.
