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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Seokoh Expands Production in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

09/24/2019
Seokoh Inc., a manufacturer of cosmetics and personal care products, will expand its operations in Scott Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. The project is expected to create 280 new jobs.

Seokoh, owned by Kolmar Korea, currently owns a 70,000-square-foot facility and leases three other facilities. The company will purchase two adjoining sites next to its current manufacturing facility in the Scott Technology Park to construct a new 200,000-square-foot facility.

The company will also renovate its current manufacturing facility and purchase new equipment to provide for streamlined operations and future growth. The company has pledged to invest $27.9 million into the project, and has committed to create at least 280 new, full-time jobs and retain 290 existing jobs over the next three years.

“This expansion project is planned to be the location of the company’s North American headquarters, adding ‘beyond continents’ to ‘beyond science, beyond inside, beyond Kolmar, for an ever changing and evolving Kolmar Korea’,” said Jason Lee, Director, North American Business Division of Kolmar Korea. “Seokoh and Kolmar Korea would like to thank Scott Township, Lakeland School District, and Lackawanna County as well as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for their continued support. We would also like to express our appreciation for the assistance of the Chamber of Scranton and the Governor’s Action Team for their efforts and guidance.”

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team. Seokoh received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $126,000 workforce development grant to help the company train its existing workers and $480,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs. The company was also encouraged to apply for a $7.25 million loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA). “Pennsylvania is fourth in the nation in the manufacturing of toiletry products, and Seokoh’s expansion in Lackawanna County is a testament to our competitive advantage,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “Our diverse workforce and central location make Pennsylvania a prime place to do business and we are pleased to see Seokoh further grow its operations right here in the commonwealth.”

“The beauty industry in the U.S. reached $18.8 billion in 2018, comprising of $13.7 billion in makeup and skin care product sales. Seokoh, Inc. is a global leader in the cosmetics industry. Their investment within Scott Technology Park is a testament to the success that manufacturing companies are experiencing in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. We look forward to continued partnerships, working alongside the Seokoh team, as they grow their corporate campus, creating quality jobs, and investment in Scott Township,” said Bob Durkin, president, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

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