ST. PLACIDE, QUEBEC (March 29, 4:25 p.m. ET) — North America IML Containers will open a new injection molding plant in Flagstaff, Ariz., to serve the West Coast.
The company, a subsidiary of French packager Groupe Lacroix, has leased a 40,000 square-foot plant in Flagstaff to house its newest branch, IML Arizona.
The plant will manufacture in-mold labeled packaging for refrigerated and frozen foods.
The new facility should begin operating by the middle of the year, and will employ approximately 40 workers.
IML chose Flagstaff over other West Coast locations because of its proximity to California, its easy access to railroads and interstate highways and its reduced energy costs, said Nicolas Bouveret, North American production manager, in an email.
IML also operates plants in Le Mars, Iowa, and at its headquarters in St. Placide, Quebec.
If the new branch is successful, IML plans to hire more workers and build a larger facility in nearby Bellemont, Ariz.
