Rolla, MO — Weeks after meeting with company officials, Gov. Jay Nixon announced that Danish company Brodrene Hartmann A/S will open a $30 million-manufacturing facility in Rolla, creating 50 new jobs in the area. Brodrene Hartmann is the world’s leading manufacturer of molded-fiber egg packaging and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of machinery for producing molded-fiber packaging.
“Global companies know Missouri is a perfect place to reach key markets and grow their business,” Gov. Nixon said. “Missouri’s manufacturing industry contributes billions to our economy while providing good paying jobs for Missouri families. I’m proud to welcome this global leader to Missouri.”
The 334,000 square-foot Rolla facility will produce sustainably-made, molded-fiber egg cartons for the U.S. market. Cartons will be made of 100 percent recycled newspaper sourced from the Midwest and distributed nationally.
The Governor met with company executives during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this month. The company plans to begin hiring in the summer of 2016 and commence operations early 2017.
“With a new factory in Rolla, Missouri, we want to continue positive development,” said Ulrik Kolding Hartvig, CEO of Brodrene Hartmann. “By increasing production capacity and presence in North America, we will gain access to a larger share of the market and have a solid foundation for expanding the business.”
The company anticipates future growth at its new Rolla location with the potential of doubling its investment in the next six years.
“The location of the facility in Central Missouri provides Hartmann with improved transportation access to customers across the country from the I-44 corridor,” said Gerry Lavis, President of Hartmann North America, “as well as intermodal rail connections in St. Louis and Kansas City, plus an excellent regional manufacturing workforce, and competitive business climate overall. The State of Missouri, the Missouri Partnership, and the City of Rolla were excellent partners in the location strategy and final decision-making process.”
Hartmann worked closely with its business and real estate advisors at Newmark Grubb Knight Frank to conduct the site selection and transaction management.
Copenhagen, Denmark-based Brodrene Hartmann won a 2014-2015 European Business Award for its efforts in environmental and corporate sustainability. The nearly 100-year old company employs 2,100 people globally, with operations in Europe, Israel, South America and Canada.
To assist Hartmann with its new Missouri-based operations, the Missouri Department of Economic Development has offered a strategic economic incentive package that the company can receive if it meets strict job creation criteria.