IML Containers to bring 60 jobs to Alliance

ALLIANCE – A French-based food packaging manufacturer plans to employ about 60 workers at its new plant in the city.

IML Containers intends to build a facility on a 19-acre vacant parcel on the northeast corner of Freshley Avenue at Main Street.

The company has leased space in Plain Township since 2018. The plant currently employs 15 workers.

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Sergio Guiraldello, manager of IML Container’s Plain Township plant, said during Alliance Area Development’s meeting Tuesday the company expects to open the new plant in roughly a year or year and a half.

Jeff Lukas, who works in business development at the company, said it might take a few years for the Alliance facility to reach its goal number of employees.

The Lacroix Group, founded in 1946, owns IML Containers. The operation came to North America in 1999. It operates multiple facilities in the U.S., including plants in Iowa, Illinois and Arizona.

“Our philosophy is to go to where our customers are,” Lukas said.

The company manufactures wood and cardboard cheese containers, as well as plastic containers for ice cream, butter and other food products, using in-mold labeling, a process where a product's label is injected directly into the packaging.

IML Containers produces items for brands such as Land O’Lakes, Sabra and Yoplait.

Lukas said factors such as transportation and a strong manufacturing workforce influenced the company’s decision to build its new facility in the Buckeye State.

“We can find any kind of (raw material) at like two hours from us,” Guiraldello said.

IML Containers has enjoyed its Plain Township facility and wanted to remain in Stark County, Lukas said. Alliance was the ideal space for the new building because of its proximity to the railroad, utilities and cost of land.

Guiraldello said the company is still working on the design for the facility. He said the company hopes to form relationships with the local schools and the University of Mount Union to introduce students to potential job opportunities.

IML Container’s new facility will be in Alliance Commerce Park.

The industrial park is one of the largest areas of employment in the Carnation City, housing businesses such as Trilogy Plastics, MAC Trailer, Coastal Pet, Winkle Industries and Robertson Heating Supply.

Reach Paige at 330-580-8577 or pmbennett@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @paigembenn.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: IML Containers expects to employ 60 workers at new Alliance facility