RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Unarco Industries, Inc., a shopping cart manufacturer, will invest approximately $9 million and create 194 new jobs in Danville. The company will hire welders and assemblers for its projected opening in April. Virginia successfully competed against Pennsylvania for the project.
“Unarco will provide welcome job opportunities in Southside Virginia,” said Governor Kaine. “We commend Danville for its hard work securing this deal, and we thank Unarco for choosing Danville and Southside. I’m confident the company will find success in the region’s low-cost manufacturing environment.”
Unarco is a premier manufacturer of shopping carts, offering both plastic and wire carts to improve efficiencies of mass merchandising retailers. With headquarters in Wagoner, Oklahoma, Unarco serves major retailers throughout North America.
“We couldn’t be more pleased about locating in Virginia and, in particular, Danville,” said Unarco General Manager Taft O’Quin. “As we looked at possible sites for a manufacturing operation in the Eastern U.S., Danville made a great impression, both for its overall business climate and the quality of its people. We appreciate the cooperation of the state and local governments and we look forward to a long, productive relationship with the Danville community.”
Unarco is a Marmon Retail Services company. A business sector within The Marmon Group of companies, Marmon Retail Services comprises companies that provide store fixtures and displays, shopping carts, food-service equipment, and installation and logistical services to retailers worldwide from operations in North America, Europe and Asia. The Marmon Group is an international association of more than 100 companies that operate independently within diverse business sectors. Marmon Group member companies have collective revenues of $6 billion.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Danville to prepare the state’s proposal and negotiate an incentive package to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved a $300,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Danville with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $300,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, because it is locating in a Virginia Enterprise Zone. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will also support the project with training assistance through its Workforce Services Jobs Investment Program.
“Unarco is a great company with a strong manufacturing base and history,” said City of Danville City Manager, Jerry L. Gwaltney. “They are a great fit for our community and workforce. I am proud that they have chosen Danville for their new site. I believe Unarco will be extremely successful here and that they will discover what we have always known. Danville is full of possibilities. I am pleased to not only welcome Unarco but look forward to helping them in anyway we can in the future.”