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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Ireland-Based AB Group Packaging Opens Newark, Delaware, Manufacturing Complex

04/18/2016
Ireland-based AB Group Packaging, a paper bag and flexible packaging producer, opened its first U.S. plant in Newark, Delaware. The company plans to hire 87 full-time associates by 2017.

At the Newark facility, workers will be manufacturing next generation, naturally-renewable paper shopping bags and industrial packaging products — using smart, innovative techniques and only the most environmentally responsible and sustainable materials from certified sustainably managed forests; offering real points of difference to the marketplace.

“Delaware is a great state with great people. Our management team was completely bowled over by the ‘can do’ attitude, fantastic training centers and support structure in place,” said AB Group Packaging, Inc. Founder/CEO Dermot Brady. “We were looking for the very best America has to offer and believe we have found it here in Delaware.”

“I am delighted to see this further evidence of the deepening economic relationship between Ireland and the U.S., and how it works to our mutual benefit,” said Ireland’s Ambassador to the U.S. Anne Anderson. “We have long welcomed job creation by U.S. companies in Ireland, and now increasingly we are seeing successful and innovative Irish companies creating high-quality jobs in the U.S. I am confident that AB Packaging will see its U.S. business grow and thrive in Delaware.”

“I’m pleased that AB Group Packaging has chosen to make its in-demand products in Delaware. The kind of manufacturing jobs they have created supports long-term economic growth in a key industry,” Governor Jack Markell said. “With this plant, AB also joins a number of international companies that are expanding in or moving operations to our state – an important trend in today’s global economy.”

According to Delaware Economic Development, “Late last year, Primark, one of AB Group Packaging’s largest customers, opened its first two U.S. stores — one at the old Filene’s store in Boston and another at the King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania. Primark’s entry into the U.S. market, in addition to over 470 stores in Europe, made AB Group Packaging’s need for a U.S. operation imperative.”

“The company has been experiencing significant growth in recent years. Just over five years ago, the company opened a plant in South Wales that started out with 34 employees. Today, there are 90 people working there, and AB Group Packaging projects that there will be 200 employees at the facility in three years,” DED officials said.

Inspired by this success, Brady said they will not stop until they realize the same accomplishment in Delaware. “We are pleased that AB Group Packaging chose Delaware as the home for its very first U.S. location,” said Bernice Whaley, Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office. “Delaware has well-trained, highly skilled workforce to offer now, as well as for any future expansions. We look forward to continuing the dynamic partnership between our state and this outstanding company.”

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