Frederick Horowitz, CEO of A.P. Deauville, cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the new Forks Township facility.

One of the nation’s leading marketers and manufacturers of men’s personal care products has completed its relocation from New Jersey to the Lehigh Valley, holding a grand opening for its new manufacturing operations in Forks Township.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled,” Frederick Horowitz, CEO of A.P. Deauville, said during a Oct. 27 ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 3700 Glover Road facility. Company officials previously said the site is expected to create 105 new jobs.

A.P. Deauville purchased and renovated a 180,000 square foot facility that doubled their manufacturing capacity. Horowitz said Lehigh Valley’s central location, proximity to markets, and transportation infrastructure will help them continue selling its brands to major retailers.

“When so many people were going overseas, we chose to stay and be competitive in the United States,” Horowitz said. “It took 19 years to prove ourselves right. We grew a lot during that time, but really in the last two years are when people understood that having a supply chain in your backyard is critical.”

The new A.P. Deauville facility is located at 3700 Glover Road in Forks Township.

A.P. Deauville manufactures shampoos, antiperspirants, body washes, and other health and beauty products. Previously located in North Brunswick, N.J., the company has seen such growth in product sales in recent years that it required more space and a new location.

Additionally, Horowitz said taxation and other drawbacks operating in New Jersey were contributing factors in the decision to relocate to the Lehigh Valley. The company invested about $16.7 million into the project, creating new office, professional, and manufacturing jobs with high salaries.

“I am pleased to welcome A.P. Deauville to Northampton County,” county Executive Lamont McClure previously said. “Their new manufacturing center will bring 105 good quality jobs and an important industry to Forks Township. This is the kind of economic development we want in Northampton County.”

A.P. Deauville’s products are sold at such stores as HEB, CVS, Stop & Shop, Menards, Foodtown, Giant Foods, ShopRite, Hannafords, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and others.

Following an introduction by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), LVEDC had been engaged with the company during its site search, providing real estate and regional information and connecting them with local and state resources and incentives to support their relocation.

“The company’s relocation to Pennsylvania and Northampton County would not have been possible without the engagement of state and county leadership,” said LVEDC President & CEO Don Cunningham. “Northampton County, Northampton County Industrial Development Authority, and the Commonwealth worked together aggressively during these difficult and challenging times to help make this project happen.”

A.P. Deauville received a funding proposal DCED for a $250,000 Pennsylvania First grant and a $2.4 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loan. The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an group of economic development professionals who work with businesses considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.

“The need for A.P. Deauville to more than double space for production to keep up with consumer demand is a testament to the company’s growth, and that will result in over 100 new jobs for Pennsylvanians,” said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. “The Lehigh Valley is a region historic for the manufacturing industry and we are thrilled to welcome A.P. Deauville to the Commonwealth.”

The Northampton County Industrial Development Authority (NCIDA) also provided the company a $105,000 Northampton County Job Creation Grant. LVEDC provides administrative services for NCIDA.

“This is exactly the kind of project NCIDA exists to support: one that creates high-quality, high-paying jobs in a key target sector for the Lehigh Valley economy,” NCIDA Chair Marilyn Lieberman previously said. “We’re so pleased we could play a role in helping bring this company to Northampton County and to support their future growth and success here in the Lehigh Valley.”