SeaCa Packaging breaks ground on manufacturing facility in Surprise, Arizona during Arizona Manufacturers Month
PHOENIX, AZ (October 26, 2018) — SeaCa Packaging, owned by Seattle Tacoma Box Company, an over 125-year-old six generation family owned and operated company specializing in packaging, today announced its expansion to Greater Phoenix with the groundbreaking of a manufacturing plant in Surprise, Arizona.
A wholly owned subsidiary company, SeaCa Packaging was founded in 1991. The company specializes in polypropylene carton manufacturing and the plant in Greater Phoenix is scheduled to be completed by April 2019, marking the eighth location between the two companies. With plans to hire for 65 phase one jobs, this facility anticipates a $17M capital investment into Greater Phoenix and will serve its growing customer base nationwide.
“’Yesterday’s methods on today’s jobs will put us out of business tomorrow.’ This was a quote my brother stated over a half century ago, yet it still remains just as true,” says Ferd Nist, President of Seattle Tacoma Box Company. “As a corporation we still embrace this mantra, which pushes us to continually develop innovative products. We have run our business for the past 130 years on the basis of providing only the best for our customers, which has shown successful in the many years of continued relationships with the farmers and fishermen.”
“It’s fitting that this announcement is being made during Arizona Manufacturers Month, a time when we celebrate the impacts that employers like SeaCa Packaging have on our state’s economy,” said Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. “Arizona continues to prove it offers the talent, operating environment and strategic location manufacturers are seeking. Arizona welcomes SeaCa Packaging to Surprise and we are grateful for their investment in our state.”
This new location in Surprise will expand SeaCa Packaging’s manufacturing operation outside of California. SeaCa Packaging was initially created in 1991 to service central California’s produce industry with high-graphic corrugated boxes. As they grew, SeaCa Packaging incorporated a product line of extruded polypropylene 100% recyclable cartons with a goal of replacing wax corrugated boxes. This made in America product is for food-contact packaging and distribution.
“As we celebrate the expansion of SeaCa Packaging, we also recognize the impact that manufacturing has had on Greater Phoenix,” says Chris Camacho, president & CEO of Greater Phoenix Economic Council. “With more than 138,000 people in Greater Phoenix employed by the manufacturing industry, SeaCa Packaging is in great company. Their manufacturing facility in Surprise allows easy access to California and the supportive community environment in the area will enable their continued growth.”
SeaCa Packaging evaluated other cities, but ultimately selected Greater Phoenix for its expansion due to the location’s ability to meet its logistical needs and customer demand, lower cost of doing business, and availability of talent.
“The city of Surprise is pleased to welcome SeaCa Packaging to the community,” said City of Surprise Mayor Sharon Wolcott. “Our city, and the West Valley, is full of talent seeking opportunities to work closer to home. This not only expands those opportunities, but does so with a company that has a family-owned legacy of more than 100 years. As a family-focused city, this is a perfect fit for Surprise, and we look forward to being strong community partners.”
“SeaCa Packaging’s selection of Surprise is the latest in a string of wins for the West Valley, which continues to experience strong growth,” said Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “This project will create new manufacturing employment opportunities and generate significant capital investment in the community. We thank SeaCa Packaging for selecting Arizona, and look forward to supporting their success in our state.”
Greater Phoenix businesses supported the expansion of SeaCa Packaging to the region. Representing the tenant was Bill Honsaker from JLL and representing the landlord was Stein Koss with Lee & Associates Arizona, Inc.
Media Contact
Connie Weber, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]
About Seattle Tacoma Box Company
We are an over 125-year-old family owned and operated company specializing in packaging since 1889. We design, develop, and manufacture a variety of products for the agricultural, industrial, and seafood markets. Whatever your needs - from wood to plastics, corrugated, high graphics, point of purchase, litho-laminates, fire branding, silk-screening, or just-in-time inventories, we can help set you apart from your competition.
About SeaCa Packaging
SeaCa Plastic Packaging extrudes 100% waterproof recyclable packaging for agriculture products such as corn, asparagus, celery, leafy greens, etc that are environmentally friendly. SeaCa began in 1991 to service central California's produce industry by a family owned company, Seattle Tacoma Box Company - founded in 1889. In 2014, SeaCa expanded to incorporate a polypropylene corrugated manufacturing plant with a goal of replacing wax corrugated boxes and support Made in America products. Where there is a vision, there can be achievement. As a packaging company, we are doing our best to promote products that are sustainable & innovative to help solve issues we see within our industry. We strive to create better packaging for a better world.
About the City of Surprise
Located about 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix, Surprise is home to more than 130,000 residents who enjoy clean, safe neighborhoods, a family-friendly environment and incredible retail and recreational amenities. Surprise is rated one of the top ten safest cities in the nation and offers top-ranked public and charter schools. Recreation is big in this beautiful Sonoran-desert community. Surprise Stadium is the Spring Training home of two Major League Baseball teams, Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex attracts both tennis legends and national tournaments, and the White Tank Mountain Regional Park bordering the city offers 30 thousand acres of outdoor recreation. Plus, the city offers seven gorgeous 18-hole golf courses, an urban fishing lake, and two public aquatic centers. Learn more at surpriseaz.gov.
About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter at @azcommerce.
About the Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Established in 1989, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) actively works to attract and grow quality businesses and advocate for the competitiveness of Greater Phoenix. As the regional economic development organization, GPEC works with 22-member communities, Maricopa County and more than 150 private investors to accomplish its mission, and serve as a strategic partner to companies across the world as they expand or relocate. GPEC’s business development team provides confidential, expert support to companies as they plan their expansion and relocation strategies, including labor and economic impact data and analytics, streamlined real estate searches, and connectivity to decision makers. Consistently ranked as a top national economic development organization, GPEC’s approach to connectivity extends beyond the fabric of the community. Known as The Connected Place, Greater Phoenix is in a relentless pursuit of innovative and entrepreneurial technology-focused companies that are committed to changing the game. For more information about GPEC, visit www.gpec.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.