A growing auto accessories distributor will move into the former Herff Jones printing facility in Scott Twp., with plans to add 61 employees.
Automotive Distributing Co. of Tunkhannock purchased the 81,204-square-foot former yearbook publishing facility in the Scott Technology Park for $1.8 million.
Company President Raymond Bach said 21 employees will move to the newly purchased facility in late April with an eye toward hiring the additional employees by year’s end. Its current home at 189 East Tioga St. will be put up for sale.
Mr. Bach was sold on the building because of its condition and location.
“We have eight trucks that have to drive half an hour after getting off I-81,” he said. “This facility is two miles from 81. The savings in fuel and time alone will be great.”
Mr. Bach and co-owner Lannie Ross have decades of experience in the auto parts business but started this venture at the beginning of the recession.
“It was rough going, and we had to take market share from the competition,” Mr. Bach said. “Now, we see even more growth.”
Automotive Distributing has 14-acres at the Scott Technology Park. Mr. Bach said the company may consider acquiring adjacent land from the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Co., the development arm of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, to expand the building in the near future. The Scranton Plan’s Kristin Driesbaugh helped negotiate the deal. Hinerfeld Commercial Realty of Scranton represented the seller.
“The building is adaptable to a variety of uses, including manufacturing and warehouse/distribution,” said Stephen Carroll of Hinerfeld. Another plus was the proximity of the building to Interstate 81.
Automotive Distributing Co. serves seven states.
Herff Jones closed in September, putting 100 out of work.
