ALVORDTON — This week, a Netherlands-based company, 2Masters, opened its first U.S. base of operations in Alvordton with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

2Masters specializes in polymer technology manufacturing, using an additive which creates a final product which is a plastic that is UV resistant. Co-founder Dinand Tijhuis explained their product can be used for a variety of things from roofing and cladding to automotive, water tanks and playground equipment.

“So what we do is mix additives with polymer to make final plastic products more sustainable. So our products are very highly loaded with additives due to our developed technology,” Tijhuis said.

He explained with their equipment they are able to produce at 70% compared to their competitors who produce at 20% or 30%.

Tijhuis co-founded the company with his brother, Erwin, in 2013.

“Our customer supplier produces the additives and we are making the pellets with these additives,” he said.

The global supplier known as Syensqu wanted the company to come to the United States. Syensqu’s main production plant is based out of West Virginia, with labs in Connecticut. Tijhuis explained 2Masters was not able to make a move in 2013 due to its small size.

“So, finally in 2023, we started to talk about a contract with our customer and so now, finally we are here,” said Tijhuis.

Ashley Epling, executive director of Williams County Economic Development Corp., said 2Masters purchased the building in June of 2025, which was previously owned by Pioneer Industrial Systems.

“We found a nice location with some extra land so we can expand if we want to,” said Tijhuis.

“Our dad always taught us that people from the countryside are more or less hardworking people. So that’s why it’s very interesting to be here instead of a big city,” said Tijhuis.

Tijhuis said Alvordton is a more convenient location compared to West Virginia, where they had also considered opening a plant, due to its proximity to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which serves three non-stop flights to Amsterdam. This makes it easier for the brothers to get a flight and go straight to the plant in one day.

Tijhuis added the cornfields and countryside of northwest Ohio reminds him of home.

The new plant’s six employees started Monday Aug. 31, according to production manager, Andrew Wuebben.