Factors influencing the location of chemical manufacturing plants in Wilmington, North Carolina / by Eulis Dale Witcher.
| Author/creator | Witcher, Eulis Dale author. |
| Other author | Leahy, Edward P., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Geography. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 1974. |
| Description | 81 leaves : illustrations, form, maps ; 29 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate the location factors responsible for the development of the chemical industry in Wilmington, North Carolina. The study analyzes the locational determinants of a major chemical plant and compares the factors responsible for the location of other chemical plants in the area. The Weberian least cost framework with modifications for considering the influence of non-cost factors forms the theoretical basis for this study. The approach used in this location analysis has been developed by evaluating the procedures employed by several authorities on industrial location and considers transportation factors, processing costs, site considerations and intangible factors. Four major chemical manufacturing plants are presently operating in the Wilmington area, three of which have been located there within the last five years. The types of chemical manufacturing represented in the area are fertilizer intermediates produced by W. R. Grace, dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) by Hercules, polyester fibers by DuPont and chrome chemicals by Diamond Shamrock. Six fertilizer mixing plants are also located in the area. A survey of chemical plant management indicated the relative importance of the various location factors. The results of this survey show that the availability of a waterside site, market access and an abundant supply of water for manufacturing purposes were the most important factors in attracting the four major chemical plants to the Wilmington area. For the fertilizer mixing plants, market access and other transportation considerations were the major location factors. In a detailed analysis of the Hercules DMT plant location, the Wilmington area is compared to alternative locations -- including other ports, certain raw material locations, and the market centroid -- on the basis of cost of market distribution and transportation of input materials. This analysis shows that the Wilmington area competes with or offers substantial advantages over all alternative locations considered. An evaluation of data from the U. S. Census shows that labor cost in North Carolina is also an advantage in attracting chemical manufacturing plants. The future growth of the chemical industry in the Wilmington area will depend primarily on the development of the transportation system and the water, land and labor resources of the area. At present, one new chemical plant is planned for the area. Pfizer's selection of the Wilmington area for the location of a citric acid plant is based primarily on market access and water transportation and processing considerations. |
| General note | "Presented to the faculty of the Department of Geography ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Geography." |
| General note | Advisor: Edward P. Leahy |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina University 1974 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-81). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
Availability
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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