A Wilmington-based company that manufactures equipment for plastics processing plans to add more than 33,000 square feet to its local footprint.

Plans for the proposed Wilmington Machinery expansion are slated to go before New Hanover County’s technical review committee (TRC) on Feb. 18. According to site plans, the addition would bring the existing 57,600-square-foot building at 4628 Northchase Parkway NE to nearly 91,000 square feet.

Founded in 1972 by Russ LaBelle, Wilmington Machinery designs and manufactures large-scale, low-pressure injection and rotary blow molding machinery, according to its website. 

The machines are used in the manufacturing of various plastic products, including large plastic parts, plastic pallets, small single-serve plastic bottles and larger handleware bottles that can hold a range of household and industrial products. The company also makes custom machinery, according to its website.

Last year, the company was acquired by a “local private investor,” according to a Wilmington Machinery news release, and began operating as Wilmington Machinery LLC. The acquisition was finalized in January 2025, and terms were not disclosed, the news release stated.

According to state records, Wilmington Machinery LLC is registered to Linda Sayed and lists her husband, Yousry Sayed, as a manager.

The Sayeds were named among the WilmingtonBiz 100’s Influencers in December for their $25 million gift to the University of North Carolina Wilmington last year – the largest single donation the university has ever received.

Linda Sayed is an attorney with Wilmington law firm Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed, while Yousry Sayed is the founder and president and CEO of Quality Chemical Laboratories, a Wilmington-headquartered contract chemistry services company. Located at 3220 Corporate Drive, Quality Chemical Laboratories is just south of the Wilmington Machinery site in Northchase Industrial Park.

Yousry Sayed is listed as the applicant for the TRC review of the Wilmington Machinery expansion. Wilmington Machinery officials and the Sayeds did not immediately respond to the Business Journal’s requests for comment on Friday.

The Wilmington Machinery news release from last year about the company's acquisition stated that the transition marked “an exciting new chapter" for the company, "ensuring continued growth, expanded capabilities and an ongoing commitment to both its customers and the Wilmington community.”

“The new ownership brings extensive experience in manufacturing and business development, reinforcing Wilmington Machinery’s dedication to innovation and customer success,” the release stated. “With a strong foundation built over five decades, the company is now strategically positioned to enhance its product offerings, streamline production, and further invest in engineering, service and customer support.”

Wilmington Machinery sits on a 5.6-acre site owned by Pyramid Real Estate Holdings LLC, an entity that lists Linda Sayed as its registered agent and both Linda and Yousry Sayed as managers, according to state records. Pyramid Real Estate Holdings LLC purchased the property in 2016 for $3.4 million, records show.

The proposed building addition would be used for plastics manufacturing, according to an application submitted to New Hanover County, and is expected to disturb approximately 1.5 acres on the site. Beyond the additional square footage, the project also includes a new stormwater pond and an expanded parking area.