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Governor Pat Quinn announced recently that the state is providing a business investment package to Winpak Portion Packaging, Inc., a leading multi-national packaging manufacturing company. The investment will help the company to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Sauk Village, creating 40 jobs immediately and potentially more in the future.
“We are committed to ensuring that companies like Winpak have the tools they need to grow and create jobs in Illinois,” said Governor Quinn. “Illinois has always been a place of great opportunity, and our business investments are helping to create jobs now and for the future, further boosting our economic growth and strengthening our business climate.”
Winpak Portion Packaging, Inc. currently operates a manufacturing facility in South Chicago Heights, which employs approximately 200 people and produces plastic cups and trays for food and beverages, as well as other packaging. The state’s $1.6 million investment package leverages $30 million that the company will invest for land, building and equipment for the new facility.
“Winpak has a long relationship with the community going back to the 1960s, when the South Chicago Heights manufacturing facility first began operation. We are very pleased to be able to expand operations in the state of Illinois,” said James McMacken, President of Winpak Portion Packaging, Inc. “We are grateful to Governor Quinn, the DCEO and Mayor Towers for their continued support in our shared goal of creating jobs and economic growth in the state of Illinois.”
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering the state’s business investment package, which consists of Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credits based on job creation, and Employer Training Investment Program job training funds that will help enhance the skills of the company’s workforce. The company is also eligible to receive additional state and local incentives for being located in an Enterprise Zone.
“Our private sector investments are key to our ability to create jobs and foster long-term economic growth,” said DCEO Director Warren Ribley. “This project is a great example of how we’re investing in those companies that are investing in Illinois.”
“This agreement is an opportunity to enhance the economic value of the Village of Sauk. Sauk Village is a good fit in these times as most communities are losing jobs, especially in the area of manufacturing. We welcome this opportunity to bring economic development to our community. As the Mayor of our small town, I am sure every resident welcomes Winpak as part of our efforts to create jobs for our community. In addition, we would like to thank Andy James of DP Partners and the whole team for their hard work to make this project happen,” said Lewis Towers, Mayor of Sauk Village.
“Winpak Portion Packaging has been operating in the Village of South Chicago Heights for over 40 years. In that time Winpak has been an excellent community/business partner. They have been very helpful to our fire and police departments and to the community as a whole. I wish them success in their new expansion venture and look forward to continuing our relationship,” said David L. Owen, Mayor of South Chicago Heights.
About Winpak Portion Packaging, Inc.
Winpak Portion Packaging, Inc. is a leading producer of single serve and portion controlled packaging systems for food and beverage applications. The company’s parent corporation, Winpak Ltd., is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada and operates manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada. Winpak Ltd. reported annual sales of $579 million in 2010 with approximately 78 percent of the reported sales in the United States.
