An estimated 200 U.S. jobs will be created by a $12 million investment by Stretch Wrap Packaging Industries, a manufacturer of plastic stretch wrap for the logistics industry, with the relocation of its manufacturing facilities from Suriname in South America to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“The US economy gaining back momentum and the perceived quality of products manufactured in the USA worldwide, were some of key drivers to relocate the facilities to the United States,” said Stretch Wrap Packaging Vice President Rahul Singh. “While our manufacturing operations could have been located anywhere within the United States, the global strategic location of Broward County, being centrally located in South Florida with its gateway to Latin America and the world, coupled with its strong infrastructure, state tax advantage and quality of life made Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County the ideal location for our business.”

“We would like to thank Paola Isaac Baraya from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and the City of Fort Lauderdale for their support and assistance with expedited permitting, workforce development, manufacturing tax exemptions and other services provided by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance,” Singh added.

“Florida continues to be business-friendly, which is a main reason that companies like Stretch Wrap Packing Industries opt to do business here,” said Gray Swoope, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc., the state’s primary economic development organization. “We welcome Stretch Wrap to Florida’s business community and look forward to its positive economic impact through job creation.”

“We are proud to welcome Stretch Wrap Packaging Industries, LLC, to Fort Lauderdale,” said Mayor Jack Seiler. “An advantageous economic climate has helped the City of Fort Lauderdale establish itself as a world-class international business center and one of the most desirable destinations for new and expanding businesses. We are honored that Stretch Wrap Packaging is joining our family of fast growing businesses here in Fort Lauderdale.”

Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance CEO Bob Swindell said Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County’s central location is a strategic gateway to the world, with superior infrastructure coupled with the flexibility of its foreign trade zone programs.He added the region “ presents tremendous opportunities for manufacturing companies to expand their market access. Our mission is to attract more foreign companies to the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County area that can take advantage of our outstanding quality of life, talented workforce and highly rated business climate and continue growing our target industry clusters including manufacturing.”