(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that Ranpak Holdings Corp. (NYSE: PACK), a global leader of environmentally sustainable, paper-based packaging solutions for e-commerce and industrial supply chains, is creating an 80,000 square foot innovation and automation center in Shelton, Connecticut. The company expects to initially employ 35 workers at the facility and increase that amount to around 80 to 100 workers by 2024.
“Ranpak wanted a skilled workforce and a location that fuels innovation and next generation thinking. They found everything they needed right here in Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “Connecticut is one of America’s great manufacturing states and we are glad to welcome Ranpak to our advanced manufacturing community.”
Ranpak’s innovation center will serve many purposes. Housed within an 80,000 square foot mixed-use facility will be a showroom for Ranpak’s automation and robotics product offerings; an innovation center for research and development in automation and AI applications; and approximately 50,000 square feet of dedicated manufacturing and assembly space. Construction of the new building, located at 57 Waterview Drive, is expected to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2022.
“Ranpak is thrilled to invest in our growth in end-of-line automation and robotics solutions at our new center in Shelton, Connecticut,” Omar Asali, chairman and CEO of Ranpak, said. “We are committed to building state-of-the-art technologies to advance Ranpak’s mission to deliver automated and sustainable packaging solutions. Our Connecticut facility will be an ideal location to develop and scale new innovations to drive our mission forward. We look forward to bringing high-quality jobs to Fairfield County, and thank Governor Lamont and his administration for welcoming us as new members of the community.”
With global headquarters in the Cleveland, Ohio area, Ranpak employs over 850 people around the world, including the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Singapore and multiple locations across the United States. Earlier this year, Fast Company magazine recognized Ranpak as one of “the ten most innovative logistics companies of 2021” for their eco-friendly packaging solutions.
“Ranpak is going to make a great addition to Connecticut’s manufacturing ecosystem,” David Lehman, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, said. “Their commitment to innovation and sustainability fits well into the business ethos of our state.”
“Ranpak’s decision to locate their new facility in Connecticut underscores what we know to be true – our talent, our location, and our culture of innovation are powerful assets for companies looking to be best-in-class in their industries,” Peter Denious, president and CEO of AdvanceCT, said.