SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Sparks, Nev. – An international manufacturer of health food and nutritional supplements has announced it is expanding its distribution center in Sparks and building a 130,000 square foot facility to house its expanded west coast distribution and manufacturing operation at 575 Vista Boulevard. NOW Foods, a manufacturer of dietary supplements, sports nutrition, personal care and beauty products and nutritional foods based in Bloomingdale, Ill., will add 10 new jobs to its existing 29 jobs as part of its first phase company expansion in early 2012, which will include its distribution facility. The manufacturing facility will be brought online in a second phase.
The company has operated a distribution facility at 990 Packer Way since 2003. “In addition to the obvious business-friendly environment and access to the 11 western states, the willingness and flexibility of the City of Sparks was paramount in our ability to construct this new facility,” said Jim Emme, chief operations officer for NOW Foods. Emme said that United Construction will begin construction on the facility in July/August 2011, and the company will pursue a United States Green Building Council LEED Silver certification for the building.
Phase one of the NOW Foods expansion of its distribution facility represents a projected $1,126,058 one-year economic impact to the region, and a five-year economic impact of $5,630,290, according to the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, (EDAWN) which assisted the company in gaining approval from the City of Sparks for its location on Vista Boulevard. In addition to the City of Sparks, the Nevada Commission on Economic Development (NCED) brought the lead to EDAWN; Bryan Gardner of Reno Property Management represented (NOW Foods) locally, KLS Planning and Design represented NOW Foods for the site plan review and variance process with the City of Sparks, and United Construction is the design/build contractor working with NOW Foods’ corporate architect Karl Heitman.
It’s estimated as a result of the phase one expansion to Sparks, a total of $1,292,766 in state and county taxes will be generated over the next five years of operation.
Interested applicants for the first phase distribution operations positions of the company’s early 2012 expansion should visit the NOW Foods website or www.nowfoods.com/AboutUs/CareerOpportunities/index.htm
“NOW Foods has been a tremendous employer in our region for nearly eight years, and we’re pleased they chose to expand their west coast distribution and manufacturing facility in Sparks,” said Sparks Mayor Geno Martini. “The company’s investment in our economy and our workforce is a true testament to NOW Foods’ commitment to our community. We thank them and the team at EDAWN for partnering with us on this growth opportunity for our entire region.”
About NOW Foods: Founded by Elwood Richard in 1968, NOW has grown from a small, family operation to a highly respected, global manufacturer of natural health products. Today, NOW manufactures and distributes over 1,500 dietary supplements, natural foods, sports nutrition, and personal care products. NOW’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility has been GMP certified since 2000, and its quality testing labs are among the most advanced in the industry. The company has over 600 employees and its products are sold in more than 60 countries. For over 40 years, the company has remained family owned and operated, and committed to its original mission of providing value in products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives. For more information please visit www.NOWFoods.com.
About EDAWN: EDAWN is a private, non-profit corporation founded by community leaders in 1982. EDAWN works to recruit and expand quality companies that have a positive impact on the quality of life in Greater Reno-Tahoe. Reno was named the No. 1 Place for Doing Business in America 2005 by Inc. magazine. For more information, visit www.edawn.org.
