Gary Plastics Packaging Corp., which operates in the promotional products marketplace through the Garyline (PPAI 112004, S10) brand, is relocating later next year from New York City, where it was founded in 1963, to Florida.

The Move

Garyline’s relocation to Spring Hill, about 50 miles north of Tampa, supports its requirements of building a sustainable, efficient operation and increasing its domestic production. The company notes the move will also give it more production and warehouse space, allowing it to keep pace with increased demand and improve production efficiency.

  • In moving to Florida, it joins fellow major suppliers Hit Promotional Products and Koozie Group in the Tampa area.

Richard Hellinger, president of Garyline, says, “The new, much larger facility will allow Gary Plastic and its Garyline division of promotional products to add additional facilities, with opportunity to train employees, whether they relocate with our company or new ones, to meet the requirements of our customers and their clients.”

A New Home

Garyline is moving into 279,000 square-feet of space in a 440,000 square-foot building, part of the North Pasco Corporate Center, a 72-acre campus under development by Harrod Properties.

  • Harrod is investing roughly $50 million in the project – land, infrastructure and construction.
  • Garyline will spending $16 million in lease hold improvements such as manufacturing equipment, furniture, and other fixtures to create a modern state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

The timing of Garyline’s investment coincides with the expiration of its lease in New York City. It expects to begin operations in Spring Hill in 12-15 months.

  • Garyline will continue to operate in New York for a transition period to avoid service disruptions.

County Collaboration

The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners approved approximately $1 million in job, tax and training incentives in support of Garyline’s relocation. The company anticipates bringing in approximately 555 total new jobs to the county over a 3-year period, with approximately 184 jobs at 125 percent of the average county wage.

“It has been a pleasure working with the Pasco EDC (Economic Development Council),” says Hellinger. “They were extremely helpful from the minute we connected. Given the Corporate Center’s location, and its opportunity for efficient growth, Pasco County was a natural fit for Gary Plastic’s new manufacturing facility.”

Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the EDC, says, “It is so nice to see an environmentally-focused family business that employs hundreds of people choose Pasco County to call home. We are thrilled to welcome Gary and to see them locate into another great speculative property. We are here to help them grow for years to come.”