Governor Susana Martinez announced Global Fashion Technologies, a manufacturer of recycled fibers, will locate its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Belen. This move is expected to create 300 new jobs within three years and potentially more in the future. Global Fashion Technologies is a publicly traded company that is commercializing new, patented technology to process and develop these recycled materials.
“Global Fashion Technologies is a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious company that we are thrilled to have in our state creating jobs and exporting goods all over the world,” said Governor Martinez. “We have significantly improved our business climate to specifically recruit manufacturing businesses like this to our state.”
“New Mexico’s much improved business environment was a big part of our decision to locate here, in addition to the welcoming local and state officials,” said Tom Witthuhn, CEO of Global Fashion Technologies. “We very much look forward to being here and growing our business in the state.”
In the last few months, Governor Martinez has announced that 11 new manufacturers have located or expanded in New Mexico; these include international and domestic businesses moving to New Mexico, as well as local family-run manufacturing businesses expanding operations. Additionally, 19 business in other industries have located or expanded creating more than 3,000 new, well-paying jobs over the next few years.
The new positions created by Global Fashion will include managers, engineers, laboratory technicians, operators, and shipping and receiving personnel. The average salary will be more than $40,000 a year with benefits. The facility will house at least six production lines and the company will invest more than $40 million in equipment.
“Global Fashion uses an innovative process to reduce waste and use of water resources by recycling old cotton materials to be processed and used again,” said Secretary Barela. “I have called for making New Mexico a center of water research and commercialization excellence that will spur innovation and job creation, and Global Fashion fits that innovative profile.”
Global Fashion will be located in the former Solo Cup facility in the Rio Grande Industrial Park in south Belen.
“Valencia County is a great place to do business and we want to do all we can to see Global Fashion succeed and grow even more,” said Rep. Kelly Fajardo. “This is just the beginning of what we will see from the passage of our bipartisan tax reforms in 2013.”
Governor Martinez joined Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela, Belen Mayor Jerah Cordova, Rep. Kelly Fajardo, Rep. Alonzo Baldonado and Global Fashion CEO Tom Witthuhn for the announcement.