Twin Cities firm to bring 25 jobs to WC
By Lori Berglund — Daily Freeman-Journal EditorArticle Photos
Webster City Area Development Director Gary Sandholm today announced that a Minneapolis-based company will bring 25 new jobs to the community by this time next year.
Cropland Containers will locate in the former White Transfer & Storage warehouse at 2001 Marvel St. The company is a subsidiary of Stainlez and will clean and refurbish plastic containers used to transport bulk chemicals, food products, and similar materials.
Hiring could begin immediately, according to Sandholm. He expects the majority of the 25 new jobs to be full-time positions.
Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is owned by Brian Bilyeu and Lavonne Parker. Webster City was selected as the location for Cropland Containers earlier this year, according to Sandholm. The community's location, with easy access to major transportation routes, was a benefit in the selection decision.
"Serving a market area extending from the upper Midwest to Texas, they are filling the need for a centralized facility that reduces transportation costs and time for their customers," Sandholm said.
The Webster City location, Sandholm added, will give easy access to company headquarters in Minneapolis, while also allowing the company to serve cities in the lower Midwest, such as St. Louis and Kansas City.
Sandholm said company officials originally considered the spec building off Closz Drive after learning about it through an internet data base. However, they needed a building a little further along, and then came upon the White Transfer warehouse.
While the warehouse is actually larger than needed at the current time, company officials were pleased to discover an option to sublease a portion of the space.
An undisclosed incentive package was presented to the company by Webster City Area Development.
"It's not a lot of money," is as far as Sandholm would go in describing the package. He indicated that company would likely use the funds for landscaping.
More important than the financial package in this new business has been the working relationship within the community, according to Sandholm.
"Brian and Lavonne have found Webster City very pleasant and welcoming and are excited about the future of their business here," he said.
As a small community, Webster City has been able to offer a more personal touch, and company officials took note of the service and friendliness of the community, Sandholm added.
"They say it's a nice break from the Twin Cities," he said.
The local facility will be managed by Lisa Plumley on a day to day basis, with owners Bilyeu and Parker splitting their time between Webster City and Minneapolis. Plumley previously worked with the company in the Twin Cities.
Contact Lori Berglund at editor@freemanjournal.net
