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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Ronpak To Relocate Its Headquarters To Shreveport, Louisiana, and Expand Manufacturing There

05/07/2012
Ronpak, a 65-year old manufacturer of custom-printed paper bags, packages and food wraps, will relocate its corporate headquarters from New Jersey to Shreveport, Louisiana, and also expand its manufacturing complex there, creating a total of 275 jobs.

Last year the firm announced plans to create 175 jobs when it opens its $16.8 million 155,000-square-foot facility manufacturing plant at The Port of Caddo-Bossier, Louisiana, which will now also serve as Ronpak's headquarters.

On Monday, Ron Pak officials said 100 additional new jobs will be added, 20 positions at its headquarters and 80 in manufacturing. By 2018, Ronpak will employ 275 people in Shreveport with an average annual salary of more than $40,500, plus benefits. Those direct jobs also will result in 783 new indirect jobs, Louisiana Economic Development estimates, leading to a total of more than 1,000 new jobs.

Gov. Bobby Jindal said, "Ronpak is upping their investment in Louisiana because of our state's strong business climate, and most importantly, because we have the best workers in the world. Ronpak's decision to relocate their headquarters and add new manufacturing jobs is proof that our work to foster a strong business climate where companies can thrive is paying off. The company cited support and incentives from state and regional economic partners, as well as the quality workforce available in Shreveport, as major reasons for selecting Shreveport. The support of the state, Louisiana's quality workforce and the company's experience during their initial six months in the state helped convince Ronpak to relocate its headquarters.

"When we started up in our temporary facility in the port, I had only one thing on my mind, making sure we took care of the needs of one of our most-valued customers," said Ron Sedley, Ronpak owner. "We did that in a very short period of time. Only with the help of all the people of Louisiana could we have done this. Louisiana is a state that wants to help business succeed."

Among incentives offered to secure the manufacturing expansion and headquarters relocation, the state provided Ronpak with a performance-based grant of $2.25 million to offset costs of equipment for the manufacturing center, payable in two annual installments in 2016 and 2017. In addition, the state will provide a performance-based grant of $900,000 to offset leasing or financing costs related to the headquarters, payable in ten annual installments, beginning in 2013. Ronpak also will receive the services of LED FastStart, the state's workforce development program. The company will also utilize Louisiana's Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

"North Louisiana Economic Partnership and its partners have worked closely with Ronpak, first when it decided to locate at the Port of Caddo-Bossier and now as the company moves its corporate headquarters to North Louisiana," NLEP Chairman Todd Perry said. "The collaboration between state, regional, and local economic development partners has been a winning formula in recruiting new companies and convincing them to expand in our region."

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