Plaskolite, a global leader in engineered thermoplastics with more than 2,000 employees at 18 locations worldwide, has operated in Zanesville since 2000. In December 2024, the company announced an $11.9 million investment to expand its Zanesville facility, creating 38 new jobs and increasing product output by 85%. To build the workforce behind that growth, Plaskolite worked with the talent team at JobsOhio and its regional partner, OhioSE, using JobsOhio's Talent Acquisition Services.Â
Challenge:
As Plaskolite prepared to expand manufacturing operations at its Zanesville facility, the company faced a talent gap on several fronts. New hires had no formal onboarding program to help them learn their roles, which left entry-level employees to pick up critical knowledge on the fly.
A lack of cross-training created another hurdle. Without exposure to other parts of the operation, employees were less willing to step into leadership roles, limiting Plaskolite's ability to promote from within.
Recruitment was a concern, too. The company's existing marketing efforts would not attract the volume of applicants needed to fill the new roles, particularly for operator and lead operator positions.Â
Solution:
JobsOhio's talent team and OhioSE built a plan to help Plaskolite attract, onboard and grow its workforce, bringing in two specialized vendors to deliver it.
To strengthen recruitment, JobsOhio partnered with Nova Creative to develop a new career landing page for Plaskolite. The page centers on the company's employee value proposition and features testimonials from current employees. Nova Creative also produced original photos and videos, then launched a paid search and social media campaign to reach qualified candidates.
To help new hires succeed from day one, JobsOhio engaged Tooling U as an onboarding and career pathway consultant. Tooling U worked with Plaskolite to establish a formal onboarding process, including new training materials and a structured approach to delivering them.
Tooling U also created career progression maps that show employees the skills and experience needed to advance, giving them a clear view of their future with the company.
Lasting Impact:
The paid search and social media campaigns increased the volume of applicants for operator and lead operator roles, helping Plaskolite build the pipeline it needs for the expansion.
The new career page, featuring real Plaskolite employees, adds strength and authenticity to the company's employee value proposition. Candidates now hear directly from the people they would work alongside.
Inside the plant, the new onboarding program ensures that entry-level hires start with a solid foundation of knowledge to perform their jobs. And the career pathway maps give employees a clear path to move up, encouraging them to pursue leadership roles and build long-term careers at Plaskolite.
More Resources Supporting Plaskolite's Talent Strategy:
Plaskolite is using additional JobsOhio resources to attract, develop, and retain talent. The company is tapping into JobsOhio's Find Your Ohio program, a resource available to Ohio companies as they build out comprehensive workforce development strategies. The program connects Ohio employers with out-of-state talent looking for opportunities in the state, with more than 55,000 active candidates in the system. Through the JobsOhio Relocation Incentive, the company has received $30,000 in disbursements to date for hiring new STEM and technical talent from out of state.
Ready to tap into Ohio's workforce and grow your business? Let's do it together. Take the first step by contacting JobsOhio's talent experts at JobsOhio.com/Contact-Talent.
