J&J Packaging, a provider of contract packaging services, announced today that it will grow its gift card packaging division, creating up to 50 new jobs by 2013.
The company, which provides paperboard and thermoformed packaging services and supply chain solutions to customers in a variety of industries, plans to invest more than $2.5 million to upgrade equipment at its facility at 924 S. Meridian in Sunman.
"Companies are realizing that when its time to expand, there's no better place or better growth climate than Indiana," said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "J&J Packaging's expansion would be welcome news anywhere in Indiana, but it's especially significant because it's happening in a smaller community like Sunman."
J&J Packaging, which currently employs nearly 500 associates in the Ripley County community, plans to begin hiring additional packaging and distribution associates by the end of the year, as additional equipment is phased in at the plant. Interested applicants should apply in person at the Sunman facility.
"Our location gives us a great advantage in serving the population base of the United States. Indiana's help has made it a positive experience in promoting our success as a business during tough economic times while being a good employer to our employees. We will endeavor to keep a close relationship with the state leadership into the future," said Bob Leitgabel, chief executive officer of J&J Packaging.
Founded in 1987 in Sunman, J&J Packaging is made up of a thermoform, packaging and gift card division and its folding carton division. The company's expansion is due in large part to its growing gift card packaging line of business and a spike in demand for its gift card bundle packs.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered J&J Packaging up to $200,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $40,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. The town of Sunman will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Ripley County Economic Development Corporation.
"It's great news to hear a good corporate citizen like J&J Packaging is able to land a major account that will add 50 new jobs that will benefit the citizens in and around Sunman. We feel very fortunate to have them as a part of our business community," said Wayne Jenner, Sunman Town Council president.
J&J Packaging's expansion comes just two months after Ohio Rod Products, a manufacturer of metal fasteners for customers in the electric motor, wire and cable, material handling, automotive, and construction industries, announced that it would invest more than $3.1 million at its operations in nearby Versailles creating up to 33 new jobs.
About J&J Packaging
J&J Packaging is an established manufacturer of gift card packaging. They have leveraged their ability to manage data, provide paperboard packaging, thermoformed packaging and full service contract packaging to become a single source provider of all the parts needed to produce the gift card multipack. In addition J&J offers complete inventory and supply chain solutions that reduce lead-time and allow fast response to gift card packaging orders.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.