A Seattle-based manufacturer of flexible packaging is expanding into the Lehigh Valley, and will be creating more than 160 jobs over the next three years.

PAC Worldwide, a manufacturer and service provider of packaging solutions, will lease a facility at 4779 Hanoverville Road in Lower Nazareth Township.

PAC Worldwide, a manufacturer and service provider of packaging solutions, will lease a more than 420,000 square-foot facility in Lower Nazareth Township, and plans to invest $28 million into the project.

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) worked closely with the company, helping them find a site for the project and placing them in touch with state of Pennsylvania for financing assistance.

“This is another example of how you can attract manufacturers based on supply chain,” said Don Cunningham, LVEDC President & CEO. “We’ve seen a lot of growth from fulfillment centers that require packaging, and that in turn has led to interest from packaging manufacturers.”

LVEDC had been working with PAC Worldwide since June 2017 on finding a possible Lehigh Valley facility. The organization provided the company information on the regional labor market, available sites, and incentives, and helped connect them with brokers and developers to find a location.

“PAC Worldwide is thrilled to be locating our newest manufacturing site in the greater Bethlehem area,” said Bruce Johnson, chief operating officer at PAC. “We have specifically chosen this location because of the rich manufacturing history in the area, the strength of the local workforce, and the logistical advantages to our customers.”

LVEDC also first put them in touch with the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.

“It’s telling that, after exploring where it can best maximize its growth in the northeast U.S., PAC chose Pennsylvania,” Wolf said in a statement.

“My administration has been working to improve our business climate for manufacturers since day one,” he said. “PAC’s decision – and the more than 160 new Pennsylvania manufacturing jobs that will come with it – is more evidence that our manufacturing climate continues to improve every day.”

PAC received a funding proposal from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for a $489,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $326,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs, and $73,350 in WEDnetPA funding for employee training.

The company will be investing in leasehold improvements, equipment acquisition, and training for its employees at the site, which is located at 4779 Hanoverville Road.

For more than 40 years, PAC has developed, manufactured, and automated premium packaging solutions to meet the changing needs of its customers worldwide. It is headquarted in Seattle, with other offices in Cincinnati and Phoenix, as well as Mexico and Malaysia.

The company manufactures protective mailers and specialty packaging for the courier, e-commerce, fulfillment, and distribution markets, and offers a full portfolio of branded and stock packaging with bubble lined and flat solutions.