Texas Government Lobby Report: Food-container company Pactiv expanding operations in Texas
The following is a digest of a story originally appearing in the San Antonio Business Journal. The Texas Lobby Group is publishing this summary as a public service for other Texas lobbyists, government consultants, political activists, and other interested parties.
Read the original story here.
Texas has pledged to invest just short of 100,000 dollars from the Texas Enterprise Fund to support the expansion of Pactiv’s Dallas location. Pactiv Corporations provides packaging and disposable products for the foodservice industry. This includes restaurants and supermarkets. They also own “Hefty” products, which are a well known brand of waste disposal items like trash bags and liners. Hefty also manufactures plastic bags for storage, and tupperware. Needless to say, this company has a massive clientele and caters and serves to many different places throughout the country. The employment that comes along with this large organization is quite substantial. Governor Rick Perry just announced this funding decision.
“The market demand for (expanded polystyrene) cups is strong and this will be a great addition to Pactiv’s existing, multi-material offering,” Pactiv President and CEO John McGrath says. “Our customers will benefit from the opportunity to get a broader assortment of products from us.”
Lake Forest, Ill.-based Pactiv operates 55 manufacturing plants in seven countries. The Texas Enterprise Fund supports industrial expansion throughout the state, including the San Antonio area. Pactiv is a choice recipient for this money, as they are a steady investment, being a solid need for consumers. Companies like this are an ideal place to invest, because they are not trends and don’t fluctuate too much in regards to the economy. They are subject to change like any area of the market, but necessary objects like food tend to experience less ups and downs.
This expansion will lead to the creation of over 200 jobs in the Dallas area, and 150,000 square feet of new space. Pactiv is the world’s largest producer of food packaging products and disposable foodservice products. This expanded facility will produce polystyrene cups and containers. This move will help with the steady unemployment rates in Texas, which nationwide are not too bad, but still carry a weight on the individuals who are having a tough time finding work.