Corrugated sheets, digital printing manufacturer to expand presence in Santa Teresa

Jun. 8—A manufacturer that specializes in corrugated sheets and digital printing services for the box-making industry is expanding its presence in Southern New Mexico with the help of state and local incentives.

Franklin Mountain Packaging already operates in Santa Teresa. The company has now signed a lease for a new 150,000-square foot facility to be built adjacent to their current location on 401 Avenida Ascencion.

The Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance in conjunction with the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, manages the NM Borderplex Closing Incentive. This fund is worth $500,000 and is administered by the Local Economic Development Act.

Franklin Mountain Investments CEO Paul Foster stated that “the joint efforts at the Santa Teresa border crossing, between the states of New Mexico and Chihuahua, are also moving the dial,” Together, these investments will continue to promote economic growth in this area.

Over the next three to four years, the company will hire 60 additional employees in New Mexico. The expansion is not yet complete.

Franklin Mountain plans to expand its manufacturing in Santa Teresa, as well as increase the output of their box-making business. The company operates just one of two quantum corrugators — a machine that brings together sheets of paper for wall board — in North America.

Santa Teresa is also home to a high-speed digital printer capable of printing graphics in high quality onto corrugated sheeting. It has die-cutting and other capabilities. Franklin Mountain will also be able to expand its die-cutting capabilities and finish products with the expansion.

Franklin Mountain is expanding in Santa Teresa as commercial traffic increases at the border crossing. In a press release, the state said that the Santa Teresa port-of-entry had doubled its output of trucks over the last two years and will process more than 160,000 in 2022.

Recently, companies have expanded into the region. Louisiana Pepper Exchange based in New Orleans and Oro LLC a food-processing company announced their plans to move into this area as early as May.

Santa Teresa’s growth has been a source of pride for the Economic Development Department of New Mexico. EDD Cabinet Secretary Alicia Keyes noted that businesses are leveraging the logistical and financial advantages of operating along New Mexico’s border with Mexico by investing in robust transportation networks and supply chain.