Press Room >> 2009 Press Releases 

Governor, Development Director announce GOJO expansion in Summit County
Company teams with Ohio, Cuyahoga Falls and Summit County on manufacturing expansion project   

Cuyahoga Falls – Governor Ted Strickland today joined local and state economic development officials to announce GOJO Industries’ plan to expand its operations in Cuyahoga Falls, a project expected to create approximately 40 new jobs in Northeast Ohio.

“Today’s announcement is a wonderful example of the success that comes out of committed public-private teamwork,” said Governor Ted Strickland. “Together we are facing the country’s economic challenges head-on by investing in what matters and making our Job Creation Tax Credit and other incentives programs more business-friendly. Every day we are working hard to create and retain good-paying jobs for Ohioans.”

The project, which will consolidate the GOJO North Carolina production operations into the City of Cuyahoga Falls, is the result of collaboration among the company and the State of Ohio, Summit County and the City of Cuyahoga Falls. GOJO Industries, headquartered in Akron, invented PURELL^® Instant Hand Sanitizer, and manufactures and distributes PURELL and other hygiene and healthy skin products in markets throughout the world.

“The private-public partnership would not be possible without the foresight and leadership of State and local governments and their persistence over many months to find a way to advance economic development in Northeast Ohio,” said GOJO Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Joe Kanfer.

The company plans to expand its state-of-the-art manufacturing operations at its Cuyahoga Falls facility, as well as install machinery and equipment for the project. The facility employs approximately 500 employees.  City, county and state support for the expansion project involves proposed tax incentives, workforce training assistance, and roadway improvements.

“Creating and retaining jobs is more important now than ever, and we’re extremely pleased that we were able to team with GOJO and our regional partners on this very successful project,” said Ohio Department of Development Interim Director Mark Barbash. “When economic times are tough you have to work even harder, and GOJO has demonstrated that commitment to maintaining jobs in Northeast Ohio.”

“As the Summit County Executive, I am honored to coordinate and bring together the City of Cuyahoga Falls, the County of Summit and the State of Ohio to reach an understanding that will bring jobs back to Summit County,” said Summit County Executive Russell Pry.

GOJO Industries is a true Ohio success story which began as an entrepreneurial idea that has grown into a thriving international business. Founded in 1946 in Akron, GOJO Industries began as the answer to a problem. Goldie Lippman was an Akron rubber factory worker during World War II and needed a strong but safe cleaner to remove tar and soil from her hands. From there, she and her husband Jerry Lippman developed the GOJO brand. Today, GOJO stands as one of the region’s most prominent businesses, dedicated to Ohio and the region.

“Working closely with GOJO Industries for over the past twenty years has afforded us the benefit of forming a strong public-private partnership” said Mayor Don L. Robart. “GOJO is a top employer and we have a tremendously successful relationship with them.  We wholeheartedly welcome the PURELL^® production line back home to Cuyahoga Falls and the job opportunities this move creates.”
  

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