John Loyack thought the second floor of the Glenmaura Plaza building would make a good headquarters for local plastics manufacturer CPG International Inc., except for one problem: the bathrooms.
Specifically, it was the bathroom stalls and partitions made of metal. CPG is the nation’s leading producer of plastic bathroom partitions, which, of course, company president Mr. Loyack believes are superior to metal.
“We worked it into the lease agreement that we wanted our partitions,” Mr. Loyack said. “We’re proud of what we make, and after all, it is our office.”
The retrofitting wasn’t a problem for Glenmaura Plaza owner Sordoni Construction Services Inc. CPG provided the partitions at no charge and Sordoni’s crews customized the offices.
CPG, formerly called Compression Polymers Holdings Inc., moved its corporate headquarters into the building this week as it shuffles production and offices to accommodate growth.
About 50 people moved, and Mr. Loyack anticipates that employment will increase to 90 as it adds to its financing and technology staff.
From the west side of the office building, Mr. Loyack and employees can see where they came from, the sprawling 801 Corey St. plant about a mile away in Scranton.
The corporate employees had to make room for more production at the Corey Street site. CPG is selling its Winfield Avenue facility, and plans to move that to Corey Street.
In April, the company bought the product line of competing local plastic fabricator Santana Products for $34 million, doubling production of CPG’s prized bathroom partitions and lockers. At Corey Street, people were practically sitting on each other’s laps, Mr. Loyack said.
The Winfield Avenue facility has generated some interest, said listing agent John Cognetti of Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate. He said serious inquiries have come from a manufacturer and an investor. While the 220,000-square-foot building is older, it has been upgraded and well-maintained, he said, with a large open space suitable for a range of uses.
CPG International has been a standout in the manufacturing sector in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Developing innovative plastic products used in laboratories, salt water, playgrounds and other places has positioned the company in a variety of potential markets. The company’s most successful foray has been into the construction market with Azek trimboards, a millable and paintable substitute for wood trim that resists damage from weather, insects and rot.
The 275,000-square-foot former Anemostat building on Keyser Avenue, purchased by the company in 2005, is dedicated to Azek and continues to increase production.
CPG added a 25,000-square-foot structure for an anticipated 11 production lines. So far, it has six.
CPG employs more than 400 people at its three facilities. Last year, the company reported revenue of $223 million.
The company is owned by a prominent New York City-based private equity firm, AEA Investments.
– Courtesy of The Times-Tribune
