Netherlands-based Schoeller Arca Systems, a plastics manufacturer, has selected Goodyear for its newest plant. The company, which has its U.S. headquarters in Chicago, will be located in the former Rubbermaid facility at 17300 W. Broadway Road. They will share the building with Tower Automotive.
“We wanted to be on the West Coast and in a business-friendly state, city and county,” said Robert Engle, president of Schoeller Arca Americas.
He said Goodyear’s enthusiasm trumped a deal in Reno, Nev.
“We went the distance with Reno and Nevada, and we didn’t feel they were that interested. ... We were a little turned off,” he said.
Engle said the first meeting with Goodyear netted 15 eager people sitting around the table.
“That was the most important thing, knowing that these guys really cared,” he said.
The facility will manufacture recyclable and reusable plastic crates for harvesting. Lettuce, berries, tomatoes, apples and other produce will be moved from fields to grocery stores.
The plant is expected to be up and running by the third week of May. Between 50 and 150 people will work there, depending on work cycles.
Some have already been hired, and the company will stage an open house within the next few weeks.
“We have some nice growth plans,” Engle said.
Tony Lydon and Marc Hertzberg, managing directors of Jones Lang LaSalle, represented Schoeller in the transaction. CB Richard Ellis represented the landlord, BET Investments.
Lydon said he’s seeing increased activity in the industrial sector, particularly among national and international firms. Smaller to midsize companies, he said, are showing early signs of recovery.
Lydon and Hertzberg worked with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council to bring Schoeller to the Valley.
Read more: Schoeller Arca Systems to open
Link : http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2011/04/15/Schoeller-Arca-to-open-Goodyear-plant.html
