Felix Schoeller expands, adds jobs at Pulaski plant, Cuomo announces

PULASKI — Felix Schoeller, a German–based global producer of specialty paper, has negotiated a new contract with a major manufacturing firm, which will relocate a paper-conversion operation from outside New York to the Felix Schoeller factory in Pulaski, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today.

The expansion project doubles the Pulaski plant’s production, and has retained and created 290 full-time and contract jobs, according to the governor’s office.

“This commitment by Felix Schoeller not only creates jobs — it speaks volumes about the business community’s confidence in Central New York and our ability to be globally competitive,” Cuomo said in a news release.

Felix Schoeller transitioned from a paper mill to a converting company about seven years ago, and at that time, the company had ended all major operations in Pulaski and focused only on converting papers that are made at other Felix Schoeller plants outside the United States, the governor’s news release explained. The company has since generated significant growth, but market dynamics in the North American photo paper market have made it hard to continue its expansion. The new contract provides significant growth in Felix Schoeller’s business and employment levels in Pulaski, and secures the existing jobs, the news release stated. Also, the ability to facilitate future, new contract business will solidify Felix Schoeller’s presence in Central New York, the governor’s office and the company said.

 “The combination of a skilled and dedicated workforce, a good infrastructure and the right economic development assistance have helped us in winning this new business. This expansion does not only solidify our presence in Pulaski, New York, but sets a good basis for future growth,” Michael Szidat, president and CEO of Felix Schoeller North America, said in the release.

Empire State Development is providing Felix Schoeller with more than $650,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits to assist the company in buying machinery and equipment and other project-related costs required to accommodate the new paper-converting contract, and to help offset out-of-state incentives, according to Cuomo’s office. As of today’s announcement, Felix Schoeller has exceeded the state’s required number of jobs created in order to obtain the Excelsior tax credits, the news release noted.

Felix Schoeller is a family owned global paper company, headquartered in Germany. With operations in Germany, Russia, Canada and the United States, the business employs about 2,500 people and generates sales of about $1 billion, according to Cuomo’s office.

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