Governor McDonnell Announces Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ Expansion in City of Winchester and Frederick

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), a leader in solution-based commercial products, will invest $67.25 million to expand operations in the City of Winchester and establish a distribution operation in Frederick County. The company, best known for its commercial cleaning, materials management, washroom and foodservice products, will add a total of 71 new jobs. In the City of Winchester, RCP is investing in high-technology, energy-efficient injection molding machines to upgrade the facility's production capability. In Frederick County, the company will retrofit an existing 454,000-square-foot facility into a state-of-the-art logistics center.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Rubbermaid Commercial Products has been in operation in Winchester since 1968, and I am pleased that the company will now establish a distribution center in nearby Frederick County. This significant investment is a logistics strategy that will streamline the manufacture and distribution of the products. The upgraded production facility and state-of-the-art logistics center will help support RCP’s growing global demand for commercial janitorial and sanitation products while creating new jobs and investment in two localities of the Commonwealth.”

“Products from RCP’s operations in Winchester and Frederick County will be seen in hospitality facilities like Shangri-la Hotels worldwide and such infrastructure facilities as the Hong Kong airport,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Proximity to the Virginia Inland Port and the Port of Virginia gives the company direct access to its international and domestic customers, and is an advantage that sets the Commonwealth apart from its competition. In addition, the availability of an existing facility in Frederick County, located near the company’s operation in Winchester, was attractive to RCP to retrofit for its new logistics center.”

Rubbermaid Commercial Products, headquartered in Winchester, Va., is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of food services, sanitary maintenance, waste handling, material transport, away-from-home washroom and safety products. RCP, an ISO 9001:2000 manufacturer, is part of Newell Rubbermaid’s global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products.

”Rubbermaid Commercial Products is committed to growth through innovation, which is reflected by the capital investments we are making in our business,” said Neil R. Eibeler, President of Rubbermaid Commercial Products. “We established our headquarters in Winchester in 1968 and are proud to call Virginia our home and to be adding jobs to the local communities in which we serve and operate.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Winchester, Frederick County and the Winchester-Frederick County Economic Development Commission to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $300,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist the City of Winchester with the project. Governor McDonnell also approved a $600,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies. The City of Winchester is applying for a grant from the Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund through the Virginia Department of Transportation to assist with transportation improvements. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the Company’s recruitment and training activities.

“Rubbermaid Commercial Products is one of the City’s largest employers and a tremendous asset to our community,” said Jeff Buettner, Winchester City Council President. “Rubbermaid’s new job creation and investment in the City of Winchester and Frederick County is a statement of confidence in our people and community, and we look forward to their continued success. We have worked hard to create a business friendly atmosphere and this type of investment represents the dividends returned to our community for this commitment.”

“Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ decision to expand in Winchester-Frederick County is testament to the area’s commitment to business,” commented Richard Shickle, Chairman of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors. “We are pleased to welcome Rubbermaid’s new state-of-the-art logistics facility to the area’s portfolio of successful companies and look forward to providing them with the seamless business environment they need to continue their growth and expansion plans.”