Area Development
Retal PA, an international plastics packaging manufacturer, is constructing a production facility in Donora Borough, Washington County, Pennsylvania. The company plans to create 88 new, high-paying jobs.

The company purchased an existing 140,000-square-foot facility at 55 S. Washington St., Donora, to establish a U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility. According to state officials, Retal committed to invest at least $15 million in the project, with company estimates reaching $24 million, which will include building acquisition, the purchase of machinery and equipment, and job training for new employees. Retal has also committed to create 88 new, full-time jobs over the next three years.

“Establishment of a new regional headquarters is a massive undertaking for any company,” said Retal PA President/CEO Admir Dobraca. “We are excited to report that our progress thus far has been substantial. We couldn’t be more pleased with the location we’ve carefully selected in Pennsylvania and with the generous assistance we received from the commonwealth and the support from the local community, the county, and the greater Pittsburgh area in general. We have great plans for this site and hope that this is a beginning of a much larger venture.”

“Our readily available and highly trained labor pool was the deciding factor in Retal’s choice to locate a headquarters operation in Pennsylvania,” Governor Tom Wolf said. “This project will revive a shuttered manufacturing facility and bring a significant economic investment and job creation to the community. We applaud Retal for making Pennsylvania its new home base in the U.S. and welcome it to the commonwealth.”

Retal received a funding proposal from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development that includes a $352,000 Pennsylvania First program grant, $264,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits, and $67,288 in WEDnetPA funding for employee training. Additionally, the company also was approved for two low-interest loans from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority totaling $2.4 million in June 2016.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance.

“It’s a great time to welcome Retal to Donora and the Mon Valley,” said PRA President David Ruppersberger. “Retal’s investment further strengthens the plastics industry’s presence here, which leverages our manufacturing heritage; current advanced manufacturing capacity; ample supply of reliable, low-cost natural gas for fuel; and soon, in-region production of polyethylene. These assets, coupled with southwestern Pennsylvania’s strategic location close to Retal’s customers and markets, set the stage for successful plastics fabrication.”

Jeff Kotula, President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce said, “This significant project not only exemplifies Pennsylvania’s competitiveness in attracting international investment but also the continued revitalization of the Monongahela Valley through groups such as GAT, Washington County Commissioners, and Washington County Chamber of Commerce all working together and with the company to achieve this success.”

Retal PA, LLC is a subsidiary of Retal Industries, LTD, an international manufacturer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic preforms and containers and high density polyethylene lids and closures for the food and beverage industry used for the production of plastic bottles for water, carbonated and still drinks, and liquor and beer. The company also produces PET resin and PET film. Retal Industries owns production facilities in Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, France, Bulgaria, Cypress, Luxemburg, and Germany.