Lehigh Valley will see a boost in its economic activity as PAC Worldwide, a Seattle-based manufacturer and provider of packaging solutions, opened a manufacturing facility in Lower Nazareth Township, Pennsylvania. The opening of the factory in Lehigh Valley, PA is part of the company’s expansion in the state, resulting in the creation of more than 160 jobs over the next three years. PAC Worldwide recently held the ribbon-cutting event at the 420,000 square-foot facility, with the plant manager, Joseph Schott, and the director of global operations, Kevin Johnson, unveiling the new facility.
The company will invest more than $28 million into the project for leasehold improvements, equipment acquisition and employee training. Bruce Johnson, PAC Chief Operating Officer, said, “PAC Worldwide is thrilled to be locating our newest manufacturing site in the greater Bethlehem area. We have specifically chosen this location because of the rich manufacturing history in the area, the strength of the local workforce, and the logistical advantages to our customers.” While the Governor’s Action Team (GAT) managed the project, the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) assisted PAC to find a site and put the company in contact with the State of Pennsylvania for financing assistance. Brent Vernon, director of GAT, said that PAC’s expansion is proof that the manufacturing sector in Pennsylvania continues to thrive.
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development proposed the funding of the project to be from a $489,000 Pennsylvania First Grant, $73,350 WEDnetPA funding for employee training and $326,000 in Job Creation credits. Don Cunningham, President and CEO of LVEDC, said, “This is another example of how you can attract manufacturers based on supply chain. We’ve seen a lot of growth from fulfillment centers that require packaging, and that in turn has led to interest from packaging manufacturers.”
To check out the job openings, visit the PAC website here.