BERRY PLASTICS INVESTS $150 MILLION IN EVANSVILLE FACILITY
Berry Plastics Corporation has announced plans to expand its Evansville, IN operations, creating 360 new jobs by 2015.
The plastics packaging company, which employs more than 1,200 people in Evansville and more than 13,500 worldwide, will invest $150 million to expand its thermoform operations and build an additional facility to their existing campus. Construction is scheduled to begin next year.
Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel recently joined executives from Berry Plastics to announce the expansion.
“Berry Plastics” continued growth is a great sign that the spirit of enterprise is alive and well in our state,” said Skillman. “We are pleased they have recognized Indiana as the location to grow their global operations.”
Berry Plastics’ expansion plans include the addition of a new 375,800-square-foot facility to increase the capacity of drink cup manufacturing. The company also produces containers, bottles, closures, prescription vials, trash bags, duct tape and other packaging materials.
“We’re excited to continue our long history of growth in Evansville where we have enjoyed a terrific relationship with our community, government and employees since 1967. We are pleased to build on our outstanding workforce in Evansville which serves as the foundation for Berry to continue to strengthen our position as a leading plastic packaging supplier,” said Bill Norman, executive vice-president of strategic planning at Berry.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Berry Plastics up to $4.9 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The City of Evansville will provide additional tax phase-in at the request of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana.
“This is such great news for Evansville. In these tough economic times, it’s truly an encouraging sign to see hundreds of new jobs and millions of dollars in new investment coming to our community,” said Weinzapfel. “I would like to once again thank Berry Plastics for its continued partnership with the people of Evansville.”
Berry Plastics’ announced expansion in Evansville is the fourth investment in four years from the plastic packaging giant. In 2005, the company expanded its existing facilities and support staff that included a 170,000-square-foot addition and 64 new jobs. In 2007, the company made two separate announcements totaling 300 jobs and more than $63 million in capital investment.
Berry Plastics is a leading manufacturer and marketer of plastic packaging products. Berry Plastics is a major producer of a wide range of products, including open top and closed top packaging, polyethylene-based plastic films, industrial tapes, medical specialties, packaging, heat-shrinkable coatings and specialty laminates. The company’s 13,000 plus customers range from large multinational corporations to small local businesses. The company has 66 manufacturing facilities worldwide and nearly 13,500 employees.
TELAMON EXPANDS IN CARMEL
Telamon Corp., is expanding its global headquarters in Carmel, IN, and plans to add 250 jobs by 2012.The company will invest more than $3 million in its Carmel corporate complex to upgrade technical support, engineering and logistics operations, company officials said.
Telamon is a provider of products and services ranging from the development of wireless information technology systems to integrated supply chain management and high-tech assembly services. The expansion recently was announced by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.
“Partnerships with home-grown Hoosier companies like Telamon continue to create new opportunities [in Indiana]. We have worked hard to create an environment that allows companies like this to locate and grow here, and today we are seeing more results of that effort,” Daniels said.
Named for the Greek word for support, Telemon currently employs 259 in Carmel and the company plans to begin hiring managers, engineers, information technology specialists, assemblers, warehouse technicians and technical support associates before the end of the year.
With customers in the telecom, higher education, Internet service provider, government and equipment manufacturer industries, Telamon has grown to a $500-million company since its founding in 1985. In addition to its Carmel corporate complex, the minority-owned company operates facilities in Chino, CA, Conway, AR, Levittown, PA, McAllen, TX, Atlanta, GA, and Beijing and Shanghai, China.
“As companies across the country and around the world look for cost-saving measures, Telamon is answering the call with a full suite of out-sourced technology solutions here in Indiana,” said Albert Chen, chief executive officer of Telamon. “With customers and offices located around the world, we looked at several choices for this new operation and found that investing in Indiana was the best choice for us and our customers.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Telamon up to $1.25 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $230,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. Carmel will consider property tax abatement at the request of the Hamilton County Alliance and the Indy Partnership.
“Telamon has been a good corporate citizen in Carmel, and I am pleased with their continued commitment to our city,” said Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard. “Our focus and commitment to a high quality of life such as our arts and design district, parks and trails, and cultural amenities as well as our wonderful schools and library are always key in attracting and retaining high-tech businesses in Carmel. This economic partnership with companies like Telamon is the reason our tax rates are among the lowest in the state.”
The announcement of Telamon’s planned growth in Indiana came after a report by the national tech trade group AeA touted Central Indiana’s success in adding high-tech jobs faster than any other metro area in the Midwest. In its “Cybercities” report, AeA found Central Indiana added 2,200 high-tech jobs from 2001 to 2006, making the metro the fourth fastest growing tech hub in the nation.
Telamon’s decision to expand its corporate headquarters in central Indiana also followed auto parts maker General Products’ announcement that it would relocate its corporate headquarters from Columbus, OH to Angola, IN, creating more than 60 new jobs.
