With the city’s help, Prolamina cuts the ribbon on a $6.95 million facility upgrade
The History
Prolamina (Previously operating as Jen-Coat) was incorporated in 1972 and has been operating a manufacturing company at 132 North Elm Street for more than 30 years. Prolamina supplies the food packaging, health care and industrial markets with a wide range of extrusion coated and laminated, metalized, and adhesive laminated structures. Products include sugar/sugar sub packets, paper/ foil laminations, film/foil laminations, composite can laminations, coated nonwovens, QSR wrap, release papers and many other specialty packaging materials. Prolamina employs 256 full-time employees and utilizes the rail services of Pioneer Valley Rail Road extensively.
The Project
Prolamina was willing to commit significant financial resources ($4 million to the building and $2.95 million in machinery and equipment) to preserve the viability of their business. With appropriate local tax incentives and energy pricing can be secured, Prolamina will executed a new 20 year lease ensuring their Westfield presence over the long term for their current staff and as well as 12 additional full time employees.
Description of renovation: Approximate Size of Improved Area (SF)
- First Floor Gut/Remodel SF 13,200
- First Floor Ground Up Addition SF 2,300
- Second Floor Gut/Remodel SF 9,100
- Second Floor Roof Addition SF 4,100
- Second Floor Ground Up Addition SF 2,300
- Significant improvements to the building facade
Total: 31,000 Square Feet
Roof repair/replacement: 200,000 Square Feet
Proposed new process equipment
- Winder: $950,000 fiscal 2015
- Press: $2,000,000 fiscal 2016-2017
Public Benefit
- Preservation of a large number of manufacturing jobs at one of the city’s larger employers.
- Preservation of one of the city’s largest consumers of energy.
- Expansion of Westfield’s commercial/industrial tax base
- Expansion of Westfield’s job base
- Improvement of the streetscape at the gateway to the city’s downtown district.
- Increase in customer and corporate executive visits to the city translating to increase hotel/restaurant revenue.