Schütz Container Systems, Inc., a German-based packaging company with locations worldwide will locate in St. Joseph. It will be the company’s 10th facility in the United States.
“We are pleased to be able to locate our newest facility in St. Joseph, Mo.,” said Frederik Wenzel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Schütz Container Systems, Inc. USA. “The location will help us better serve existing and new customers and we look forward to a long-term relationship with the community.”
Schütz stands for sustainable packaging solutions. In its current nine locations, it has 1,000 employees that are active in the field of next generation packaging solutions. In St. Joseph, employees will be involved in making packages for the agriculture chemical and food-related industries.
“We are happy to welcome a world-class company like Schütz to our community,” said R. Patt Lilly, President and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. “Not only will they add to our strong manufacturing base of employment, but will bring significant investment and new jobs to St. Joseph.”
Schütz is purchasing the shell building and the 7 acres it sits on in Eastowne Business Park. It is also purchasing the 6.25 acres west of the building for future expansion. The company will invest about $20 million in building improvements and equipment. The company will eventually employ 50 people.
The City of St. Joseph, Buchanan County, the State of Missouri, the Missouri Partnership, St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and the Kansas City Area Development Council worked to help this attraction project occur. Buchanan County provided an interest-free, forgivable loan. The City is expected to provide real and personal property tax abatement. KCP&L also assisted with incentives.
“This project would not have been possible without the continued support of the City and County and its partnership with the Chamber to create jobs in St. Joseph,” Mr. Lilly said.
Other states considered for this attraction project were Iowa, Oklahoma and Colorado. Matt Brown, of Brown & Company, represented Schütz in this project.