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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Phoenix Packaging Chooses Virginia as HQ Site

05/10/2010
Phoenix Packaging Operations, LLC will invest more than $20 million to establish its North American headquarters and first U.S. manufacturing operation in Pulaski County, Virginia.

Governor Bob McDonnell said the company will manufacture thermoformed rigid plastic packaging for customers in the U.S., and also establish its North American headquarters in Pulaski.

The project will create 240 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed against Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

"This manufacturing and U.S. headquarters operation is tremendous news for the New River Valley and Virginia. Phoenix Packaging is an international company that produces the packaging for many major companies and household names," said McDonnell in a press statement.

Phoenix Packaging Group, a family owned Latin American company dedicated to the creation, design, and manufacturing of plastic packaging and foodservice disposable products, is one of the most important packaging manufacturing conglomerates in Latin America with sales in more than 30 countries. Customers include Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Keurig, Van Houtte, Agro-Farma, General Mills, Sturm Foods and Colgate, for products such as ice cream and other dairy products, margarine, desserts, and soaps, as well as single-serve products such as yogurt and coffee.

Phoenix chose Virginia after analyzing more than 40 possible locations in six states from the standpoint of geographical location, availability of qualified workforce, energy costs and state and local incentives, among others, according to Alberto Peisach, president and CEO, Phoenix Packaging Operations.

"We found that state and local authorities in Virginia were seriously committed to helping new companies set up their manufacturing facilities and bring in high-paying jobs," he said.

He also noted the state's proactive attitude in finding ways to meet company needs, and their flexibility in creating a program to help Phoenix find and train the right workforce, was far more forward-thinking than any competing states.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Pulaski County and the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. McDonnell approved an $850,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist Pulaski County with the project.

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The company is eligible to receive rail access funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The company also is eligible to participate in the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

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