A Scott Twp. cosmetics maker plans to add about 80 new, permanent jobs this year.
For the past 20 years, Process Technologies & Packaging worked quietly making cosmetics in Throop and Pittston before moving to Scott Twp.
The team of three executives who left a New York cosmetics maker to strike out on their own grossed $450,000 that first year, 1993. Today, Process Technologies has 186 permanent employees plus 200 temporary workers in two 70,000-square-foot facilities, and had 2012 sales of $17 million. The company anticipates hiking permanent employment to 270 this year, said CEO W. Michael Godfrey during a Thursday tour of the facility with local and state government and economic development leaders. It is not known exactly what the positions or salaries will be.
"We like it here, and we are going to stay here," said Mr. Godfrey.
Process leaders were clear Thursday about what they wanted: state and local assistance in their continued expansion.
More local growth and employees are expected this year, following Process' acquisition last year of San-Mar Laboratories, a New York-based creams and lotions manufacturer, and Coughlan Products, a New Jersey-based maker of skincare and aromatherapy products.
Process makes lotions, cosmetics and bath products for some of the world's best-known cosmetics companies. Mr. Godfrey said he is obliged to keep his clients' identities private. Whatever the product, they mix and manufacture it to specifications and package it.
The company benefited from extension of cosmetics product lines and fast-changing tastes. When Mr. Godfrey began in the business, a line of foundation would come in three colors: light, medium and dark. Now, one product line Process is running has 20 colors, he said.
A large cosmetics firm doesn't want to invest in production lines to run a product that may not be popular or a new line that may not last. So they turn to a manufacturer such as Process, which will make the powder, lipstick or cream to specifications in small and medium batches as ordered. The handful of lines packaging loose powder, for example, can put out 1 million units a week.
"The owners and management have shown faith in Northeastern Pennsylvania," said state Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-114, who attended the tour. "They had the opportunity to move someplace else. But because of what they started and what they were able to do here, they stayed."
Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com