Governor Kaine Announces $17 Million Investment in Isle of Wight County

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Safco Products Company, a supplier of office products solutions, will invest $17 million to open a distribution facility in Isle of Wight County. The company, which will distribute organization- and comfort-enhancing products for the office and workplace environments, will create 40 jobs.

“Virginia is a great fit for Safco Products Company,” Governor Kaine said. “The company’s significant growth and desire to enhance its global supply chain demanded the need for a distribution facility on the East Coast. Isle of Wight County’s close proximity to the Port of Virginia will enable Safco to achieve continued success both in the United States and abroad.”
Headquartered in New Hope, Minnesota, Safco, a division of Liberty Diversified Industries, was founded more than 40 years ago. The company began with a small offering of corrugated storage products designed for office use. Since then, Safco has grown and today the company offers more than 2,500 premier products that have been designed to meet specific needs in all areas of the workplace.

“Virginia was the optimal location for our new high-tech distribution center servicing the entire East Coast,” said Donovan Ackerson, Safco’s Director of Distribution and Logistics. “It allows us to drastically improve our delivery times to the entire Eastern seaboard. The Port of Virginia was another major factor in our decision that allowed us to maintain ocean carrier relationships, utilize the leading edge port and reduce our lead times on global source products. Finally, the economic environment that Virginia offers to businesses will aid in our future success.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Isle of Wight County, the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance and the Virginia Department of Transportation to secure the project for Virginia. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.