A significant development is underway as the new $224 million asphalt shingle manufacturing plant by Atlas Roofing Corp. nears its completion in Clinton. While the facility is not yet operational, its anticipated impact on the local economy is already being recognized by officials.
Matt Parbs, vice president of Grow Clinton, a local economic development organization, expressed optimism about the long-term benefits the factory will bring. “The ripple effects of Atlas will be felt for decades. Locally, the new jobs, the community involvement, and their family-first environment has cemented them already as one of our identifiable Clinton companies,” he stated.
The new plant is designed to create around 150 full-time jobs. Hiring of production and shipping workers will occur in phases as the project nears completion. The local construction industry has also seen heightened activity, with contractors engaged in building the facility since its groundbreaking in August 2023.
Situated on 148 acres within the Lincolnway Industrial Rail & Air Park, the 440,000-square-foot plant is strategically located along U.S. Highway 30, benefiting from both rail and air access. Parbs highlighted this location’s significance, noting that Atlas’s presence has attracted interest from other prospective businesses: “(Atlas) is bringing attention to the railpark and Clinton, and we feel it is why we are receiving numerous direct requests for information from prospective companies.”
In addition to boosting employment, Atlas’s move has necessitated the involvement of Burlington Junction Railway, making it a third-party rail user in the park. This partnership is expected to foster further economic activity and interest from new businesses.
The company is on track to begin roofing shingle production by the end of the year, with full operations expected to commence in the first quarter of 2027. Adam C. Simpson, senior director of operations at Atlas, recently conducted a tour of the facility, emphasizing the rapid progress. Approximately 150 contract workers, mostly from local companies, are currently engaged in various tasks, such as electrical and plumbing installations.
During a recent visit, crews were seen installing production lines, vital for the plant’s operations. One production line was reported to be around 50% complete, while another was about 20% finished. Simpson explained, “Over the next month, the project team will be focused on completing the installation of the process equipment, with the goal of beginning dry commissioning by the end of the year.” Dry commissioning involves testing equipment before it is used for production.
He showcased the collaboration with local contractors, stating that they have established a good partnership and have often utilized local expertise, although some specialized jobs have required external contractors.
The Clinton community has played a vital role in the company’s transition, with Grow Clinton officials offering support and neighbors extending assistance, including access to facilities for initial meetings when temporary trailers had not yet been established on-site. Simpson remarked on the warm welcome the community has provided: “They always ask, ‘What do you need from us?’”
Atlas Roofing Corp., founded in 1982 as a single asphalt shingle manufacturing facility, has since expanded to 33 manufacturing locations across North America. The Clinton plant is a significant addition to its Shingles, Underlayments & Ventilation division, further strengthening the company’s footprint in the region.
