Colbert Packaging Corp., a Lake Forest, Illinois-based manufacturer of cartons and boxes, plans to relocate its flexographic packaging operations to Kenosha, potentially bringing 100 jobs to the state.
The company is in the process of acquiring a 173,000-square-foot facility at 9949 58th Place in the Business Park of Kenosha. The industrial spec building was developed by Milwaukee-based Zilber Property Group in 2015.
Colbert currently operates the flexographic division from a facility less than half the size of the new building, which will be the company’s largest. The company headquarters will remain in Lake Forest. Colbert is eliminating a warehouse in Libertyville, Illinois as part of the move.
“We started the flexo division in 1998 and have since been through two expansions, and are excited about making this significant investment for expansion that will be the footprint for our projected growth into 2020 and beyond,” said Jim Hamilton, president of Colbert Packaging. “Wisconsin is known for its printing and paper-making industries, as well as the technical expertise of those who work in these fields, which makes the state an ideal location for Colbert.”
State, city and county officials also offered $1.6 million in incentives to help attract the company.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation authorized the company to receive up to $850,000 in state tax credits over the next three years, dependent on the number of jobs created and capital invested.
The city of Kenosha approved a $500,000 grant to offset the company’s construction costs related to the move. The grant is contingent on the company closing on the purchase of the building. It also requires the company to have a minimum of 75 full-time equivalent employees with annual average wages of $40,000 at the location by Dec. 31, 2017. The company would have 100 employees with average wages of $42,000 at the end of 2018.
Kenosha County is providing $250,000 from its High Impact Fund to support the project.
The move is the latest in a string of economic development projects in the Kenosha area. Since the beginning of 2013, more than 6,000 new jobs and about $1 billion of capital investments have been announced, completed, or are underway in the county, according to Gov. Scott Walker’s office.
Hamilton said the company informed employees several months ago about the plans and many will be making the move with the company.
In all, he said it was an 18 month process for the company to make the decision. The company was previously leasing a facility and decided it would be better to build something for the future. Hamilton said the company considered existing buildings in Lake County along with potential building sites, but nothing was interesting enough. In addition, he said local officials in Illinois said there were no incentives available to encourage the company to stay.
“Your state is very welcoming,” he said. “It’s nice to be wanted as opposed to not wanted in this state here.”
Hamilton added that he wants the company to be a contributor in the area by being a part of organizations like Kenosha Area Business Alliance and the Wisconsin chapter of the Institute of Packaging Professionals.
