COAL TOWNSHIP - Don't call the empty Paxinos plant the former Fleetwood Enterprises building, but rather the new Polar Tech Industries, Inc., which is expected to employ 50 people by November.
"We look forward to growing this facility, making things better for the people of Northumberland County and Ralpho Township and working together to make life better for all of us," Polar Tech general manager Bob Hallick said during the announcement Thursday night at Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi's restaurant Two Guys From Italy.
"We welcome you with open arms. The commissioners, the state, the legislators, whoever, we will do whatever we can to help you, from the bottom of my heart," Clausi said.
Production is expected to start by mid-November, and the company is expected to start accepting applications through the Northumberland/Snyder/Union Counties PA CareerLink sometime within the next month. People to fill the approximately 50 full-time jobs, with hourly wages ranging from $12 to $22, will be needed to operate the facility. Jobs include management, production supervisors, machine and forklift operators and maintenance personnel.
Food, science industries
Founded in 1984 by Don Santeler in Genoa, Ill., the company has expanded to move nearly 3 million units of temperature-safe shipping and transfer packaging products a year. Their products include insulated foam coolers, commercial refrigerators and freezers, ice packs, tape, labels and dispensers catered mostly to the food and science industries.
Because of an expanding customer base on the East Coast as well as increasing costs, company officials started searching for a second facility in 2008.
They first looked at the former Paper Magic building, just a half-mile away from the current building, but it became too expensive of a venture. Although the deal didn't pan out, through it they met Clausi, who continued to stay in contact with Polar Tech officials.
Polar Tech finalized the deal Thursday, spending approximately $1 million dollars on the property.
Hallick said Clausi is "primarily responsible" for bringing the business into the area and has been the "best ambassador."
"He's a hard man to say 'no' to. He kept saying how great the region is and how terrific the workforce is," Hallick said.
The facility is expected to move nearly 600,000 units in the first year, but that number is expected to increase.
"We believe we will grow to be larger than Illinois," Hallick said.
Hallick was joined by Paxinos-plant President Autumn Santeler, who now lives in Danville, and owner Don Santeler.
'Breath of fresh air'
The announcement is a breath of fresh air to the Ralpho Township area, which lost more than 600 jobs between the closing of Fleetwood and Paper Magic in 2008.
"We're thrilled with the type of jobs, the pay scale and the amount of jobs," said Ralpho Township Chairman Ed Payeskie.
"We're ecstatic they're moving in and giving opportunities to people in the town," said Ralpho Township Supervisor Blaine Madara.
The new businesses isn't just good news for Ralpho Township, but the surrounding areas as well, Payeskie noted.
"We've all pledged to make their transition as easy and smooth as possible," he said.
Also attending the announcement were Northumberland County Commissioners Frank Sawicki and Merle Phillips, state Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107), Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini, Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones, local officials from Coal Township and Ralpho Township, employees of Northumberland County Planning Department and members of the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Clausi provided dinner and drinks for all in attendence.
On the Web: http://www.polar-tech.com/