Valfilm North America Inc. is expanding its operations in Findlay, Ohio, and moving its headquarters to the location.
Economic development officials from Findlay traveled to Brazil the week of April 10 to visit Valfilm President Alberto Geronimi, who unveiled the plans to the delegation, according to Tim Mayle, director of the Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development. Valfilm is part of Brazil-based Valgroup Packaging Solutions.
“We are working on plans to expand our existing facility by approximately 40,000 square feet,” Geronimi said in a statement released by the economic development agency. “The expansion will allow space for new lines that will grow the customer base in North America.”
Mayle and two others who made the trip to Brazil toured Valfilm plants as part of their trade mission.
“The top priority of the trip was to learn about the products and processes that Valfilm produces in Brazil,” Mayle said in a statement.
“It is clear why Valfilm wanted our delegation to understand its entire product line. We have a tremendous opportunity to grow with them in Findlay for many years to come,” he continued.
Dan Sheaffer is a workforce and project specialist at the economic development agency. He was able to provide some more details April 14 as Mayle returned from Brazil.
“In this particular expansion, it's going to be a about a 40,000-square-foot expansion, which will accommodate up to seven new lines. That piece is a nice addition to Findlay. It will be adding new product lines to serve their customers here in the United states. They are growing their market base. By the time they have those lines up in running in a couple of years, it may have a net increase of about 20 jobs. It's not a huge job creator, but it's a nice piece for the company,” he said.
News of the expansion in Findlay continues a turnaround for the location in the last few years.
It was in late 2014 that Valfilm agreed to purchase the film plant from Dow Chemical Co. to avoid its planned closure. The move saved 70 jobs.
While in Brazil, the local officials also learned that Valfilm North America recently moved its headquarters from California to Findlay. Valfilm also has a production facility in Long Beach, Calif.
Sheaffer expects work on the expansion to begin in the next month or two.
