Staff Report:
STAFF REPORT – ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NC
A major global hygiene manufacturer has chosen Rockingham County for its first U.S.-based operation. Joyalways, a subsidiary of Tongling Jieya Biogic Technology Stock Co., Ltd., announced today it will open a wet wipe manufacturing facility in Reidsville, creating 113 new jobs and investing more than $18 million in the local economy.
The company will repurpose the former Guy & O’Neill facility, which closed earlier this year, restoring manufacturing activity to the 216,000+ sq. ft. building and bringing renewed opportunity to the area. The newly created jobs will offer an average annual wage of $54,391 over the next three years.
“Joyalways is proud to launch our U.S. manufacturing operations in Rockingham County,” said Yingchuan Cai, Chairman of Joyalways. “This facility represents a strategic step forward in bringing production closer to our American customers.”
Founded in 1999, Jieya supplies personal care and hygiene products worldwide, including baby wipes, disinfecting wipes, and other consumer paper goods. The new Reidsville operation will allow the company to meet growing demand while tapping into the region’s skilled manufacturing workforce.
“This investment is another vote of confidence in our workforce, our infrastructure, and North Carolina’s pro-growth business climate,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger.
To help prepare the facility, the North Carolina Department of Commerce awarded a $500,000 Building Reuse Grant, aimed at supporting necessary renovations. The effort was made possible by collaboration between state and local leaders, the City of Reidsville, Rockingham County, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
“This is about more than just jobs,” said County Commissioner Chairman Kevin Berger. “It’s about revitalizing existing manufacturing space and continuing our county’s strong industrial tradition.”
Hiring is expected to begin later this year, with production slated to start in early 2026.
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