Austria-based packaging company Greiner Packaging has commenced operations of its first US manufacturing facility in Pittston Township, Pennsylvania.
Having hired 36 people initially, the company plans to increase the number to 200 eventually.
The new facility measures around 114,000 ft2 and will manufacture plastic packaging for the dairy industry.
The company said that it received a funding proposal from the state department of community and economic development including a $104,000 guaranteed free training grant. This grant will be used to train its new workforce.
The company will also receive additional funding of about $450,000 under the Pennsylvania First Program grant that facilitates investment and job creation and $256,000 in job creation tax credits.
The Greiner group claims to be one of Europe's leading plastic packaging manufacturer, with locations in Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, Estonia, Switzerland, Russia, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Ukraine and Netherlands.
Group chief executive officer Axel Kühner told the Times Leader that the company chose to locate in the northeastern region of the country owing to its interest in the dairy industry. He also said that the availability of workforce and proximity to customers at the location also encouraged them to make the $17m investment.
The Times Leader further quoted the director of Governor Tom Corbett's off northeast regional office as saying:"Pennsylvania was not a random choice. This site it was chosen for economic environment, quality workers and good access to U.S. market."
The company further said that the new facility will offer a broad range of solutions based on K3 technology, especially for the US dairy and food product market.
Image: Greiner Packaging opened its first US facility in Pennsylvania. Photo: courtesy of Greiner Packaging.
