Business

Wilsonart celebrates 70 years as decorative laminate leader

By TAMMY ALBRECHT, Published: September 26, 2026

Seventy years ago, Wilsonart began with a single manufacturing facility in Temple, Texas.

As the company grew, one of its most significant milestones was expanding to Fletcher, establishing a manufacturing operation that would become an integral part of our company’s success. Through the years, Fletcher employees have helped produce the quality products and dependable service customers have come to expect, while building a legacy of innovation, craftsmanship, and community.

Wilsonart opened its state-of-the-art Fletcher manufacturing facility in 1979, more than doubling the company's laminate manufacturing capacity. The new facility marked a pivotal chapter in the company's growth and helped Wilsonart become the largest producer of decorative laminate in North America just one year later.

Nearly five decades later, our Fletcher facility continues to thrive. Today, more than 600 employees work at the plant. Every day, their craftsmanship, dedication and pride help produce materials that serve customers across North America and contribute to Wilsonart’s 70-year legacy.

Since opening our doors, the Fletcher facility has become much more than a manufacturing plant. It has become part of the fabric of Western North Carolina. Generations of local families have built careers here. Parents have watched their children join the company, coworkers have become lifelong friends, and employees have coached youth sports, volunteered in local schools, supported area nonprofits, and strengthened the communities they call home.

As we celebrate Wilsonart's 70th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on the people who have made this journey possible. Here in Fletcher, I'm especially grateful to the employees, retirees, families, customers, suppliers, and neighbors who have supported this facility over the past 47 years. Your dedication has shaped our success, strengthened our community, and built a legacy we're proud to carry forward.

For our community, Wilsonart's story is a local one. Fletcher employees continue to embody the values of hard work, innovation, teamwork and customer commitment that have defined our company since its earliest days. Their contributions have made this facility a source of pride for Western North Carolina while supporting customers across North America.

I'm equally proud of the way our employees give back to the region that has supported us for so many years. Through volunteerism, community partnerships, and meaningful careers, we've built relationships that extend far beyond our manufacturing operations. Those connections are an important part of who we are.

As we look ahead, I'm excited about the future of the Fletcher facility and the opportunities still to come. Our site continues to evolve, and we're looking for talented people who want to build rewarding careers in advanced manufacturing. The next generation of employees will help write the next chapter in a story rooted in craftsmanship, innovation, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

Finally, I want to extend my sincere thanks to every employee, retiree, customer, supplier, and community member who has been part of this journey. Together, we've built a successful manufacturing facility, created meaningful careers, strengthened families and communities, and established a legacy that will continue for generations to come.

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Tammy Albrecht is plant director of Wilsonart in Fletcher.