Baltimore’s loss is the First State’s gain on the jobs front.
Zacros America is moving its Hedwin Division - and the 154 manufacturing jobs connected to it - to the Newark/Glasgow area from Baltimore.
Zacros America officials said in a statement Delaware’s workforce and location were the main factors in its decision.
“When we looked at potential sites for Zacros America, Delaware had the best workforce and the right location,” said Maurice LeCompte, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Zacros America's Hedwin Division. “We felt that Delaware wanted to promote manufacturing more than the other options we were considering. We also saw the greatest potential for a strong partnership with the state and its business community.”
The company was approved Monday performance and capital grants from Delaware Strategic Fund to bring the jobs to its new location in the Pencader Corporate Center just north of Glasgow.
The proposed Strategic Fund performance grant is no more than $703,505 and capital grant is for up to $180,000.
“Adding jobs to the manufacturing sector will provide a major boost to, and help to diversify, our economy. What we really liked about Zacros’ Hedwin division is that they have the desire and the ability for future expansion,” said Delaware Economic Development Office director Alan Levin, in a statement . “If and when Hedwin decides to add more jobs, they will be tapping into a workforce that is well-trained and well-prepared. And that’s one of the reasons why they chose Delaware.”
Hedwin supplies packaging for cosmetics, drug, flavoring and medical supplies. The company, which launched in Baltimore in 1946, was purchased in a bankruptcy auction last year by a Japan-based films and packaging maker Fujimori Kogyo Co. and added to its Zacros America subsidiary.
