BH North America Corporation, a Spanish-owned premium fitness equipment, bicycle and garage cabinetry company, is relocating its U.S. headquarters from California to St. Charles, Missouri. The move brings 50 new jobs to the region.
“We said we were going to improve Missouri’s business climate. We’ve done that; we are doing that, and we have the results to show for it,” said Governor Eric Greitens. “I want to thank BH North America for recognizing the great business climate we have in our state, and thank all of our economic development partners for helping welcome this company to our state.”
“Missouri is perfectly positioned at the intersection of the east-west and north-south shipping corridors,” said Dan Foust, president and CEO of BH North America. “We can ship products anywhere in the US in a couple of days and eliminate a lot of waste in rent and taxes. This strategic location and cost savings will allow us to innovate, invest in our people and increase our competitiveness in the marketplace.”
Foust expects a 30-40 percent savings in overhead costs in Missouri compared to California.
BH North America is a subsidiary of the 109-year-strong, family-owned, four-generation-run BH Group based in Vitoria, Spain, which has operations in 65 countries around the world.
The new 75,000-square-foot St. Charles facilities will include the company’s headquarters, residential and commercial products showroom, state-of-the-art video and photo studio, distribution center and warehouse.
“It is a pleasure to welcome BH North America to St. Charles and to Missouri, and to see them take advantage of the region’s manufacturing and logistics strengths,” said Steve Johnson, CEO of Missouri Partnership. “This is a great company, creating good jobs, and investing in our state. As always in Missouri, it was a team effort to attract BH North America and we are thrilled to have such great partners in the City of St. Charles, St. Charles County and the Missouri Department of Economic Development.”
“We applaud and appreciate BH North America’s decision to invest in St. Charles,” said St. Charles Mayor Sally Faith. “This continues to demonstrate that St. Charles and the State of Missouri have the assets in place to be a leader in business investment in the Midwest. BH North America continues our strategy to not only diversify our economic basis, but to strengthen our region through an improved outreach program. We also want to commend Missouri Partnership, Missouri Department of Economic Development and St. Charles County Workforce Development for playing a vital role in this project.”
“St. Charles and St. Louis also have workers who care,” said Foust. “I know our new team members will embrace our company and our culture and embrace our customers. Fitness is a people business and I am excited about the breadth of the talent pool in the region. This move is the right choice for our company.”
BH North America expects to begin operations at its new headquarters and distribution center in August 2018.