SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
The Reno-Sparks unemployment rate continues to lag at 13 percent (July 2011), yet 39 new jobs are coming online thanks to three companies that announced they are relocating to and expanding in the Greater Reno-Tahoe region. According to EDAWN and key community partners that assisted the companies, the jobs are skilled positions in manufacturing, logistics and business and financial services and represent an estimated annual economic impact of $7,027,589.
Laddawn® The manufacturer and distributor of custom and stock plastic poly bags and film is opening a manufacturing facility in Sparks, Nev., initially hiring 11 employees when it opens in the first quarter of 2012 and has plans to double its workforce here in the first 24 months. The Sparks facility is the company’s fourth manufacturing and fifth distribution center location in the United States and will serve clients on the west coast, including Arizona, California, Idaho, among other western states. Based in Devens, Mass., Laddawn has operated a distribution center in Sparks since 2000. The company recently purchased an existing 100,559 square foot facility at 650 Lillard Drive to accommodate its manufacturing and to continue its distribution operation. The expansion represents an estimated one-year economic impact of $2,546,759.
Work will begin on the Sparks facility this fall, with a goal to begin limited manufacturing operations in the spring of 2012. The facility will include a large manufacturing line, capable of producing films over 150 inches wide. The product mix will be similar to that produced in Laddawn’s Sterling, Mass., Manchester, Iowa, and Dallas, Texas facilities.
“The people of Greater Reno-Tahoe made us feel very confident that we had a partner for growth”, said Ladd Lavallee, Laddawn co-president. “The Sparks facility provides all the things we need in a new facility, including ample warehouse and high bay production space, a friendly community and an able workforce.” The acquisition marks the end of a productive year of strong sales growth and expansion for Laddawn.
The company will begin filling the manufacturing positions in late 2011 or early 2012. Interested applicants can apply by sending their resumes to: Karen Reardon, 155 Jackson Road, Devens, MA 01434-5614.
Among the key community partners that assisted Laddawn include EDAWN, the City of Sparks, Morrissey Realty, Nevada Commission on Economic Development, Washoe County and the Washoe County School District.
Reality Engineering Reality Engineering Enterprises, LLC, a company that develops and markets visually interactive communication and education products for the dental market, is relocating its headquarters from Washington State to Reno employing up to 18 people over the next two years. The company’s industry-leading products are exclusively distributed in North America through Henry Schein Dental, the world’s largest dental dealer. Located in 5,450-square feet of downtown Class “A” office space at 50 W. Liberty, the investment of Reality Engineering represents an estimated one-year economic impact of $3,612,483. NAI Alliance, Basin Street Properties, Nevada JobConnect and EDAWN assisted the company in its relocation.
MD Logistics MD Logistics is a leading provider of third party logistics services to the life sciences, pharmaceuticals, retail and consumer goods and transportation services industries. Based in Plainfield, Ind., the company is opening a west-coast distribution center in Reno, Nev., adding 20 new jobs by the time the facility is fully staffed in 2012 at its 56,000-square-foot facility. The expansion represents an estimated one-year economic impact of $868,347 to the region.
MD Logistics’ President, Mark Sell said the Reno location enhances the company’s one-day reach to 80-percent of the U.S. population. “With the addition of our Reno distribution facility, we provide our growing pharmaceutical cold chain and retail clients both contingency and cost savings,” Sell said. EDAWN and Mike McCabe from Colliers International assisted the company in its expansion. Interested applicants can apply for positions at www.mdlogistics.com and click on the “Join Our Team” link.
About EDAWN: EDAWN is a private, non-profit corporation founded by community leaders in 1982 to diversify the Greater Reno-Tahoe economy by recruiting, expanding and starting up quality companies that have a positive impact on the region’s quality of life. For more information on doing business in Greater Reno-Tahoe, visit www.edawn.org.
