Alleguard plans to make $900,000 investment, to hire additional employees in upcoming years

LANCASTER − Alleguard is planning a $900,000 investment and to hire an additional 85 employees as machine operators, clerical positions, supervisors and managers in the coming years.

The company also wants to add one or two shifts to the current single shift it runs.

Officials showed off the plant at 2109 Commerce St. with an open house Wednesday after receiving an $80,000 training grant from the Fairfield County commissioners.

Local officials, including Lancaster Port Authority Executive Director Stephanie Bosco, Fairfield County Economic Development Director Rick Szabrak, county administrator Aundrea Cordle and county commissioners Steve Davis and Dave Levacy, toured the plant.

The company bought the business in the city’s industrial park, formerly known as Fabricated Packaging Materials,

in November 2021. Alleguard has about 60 employees and makes foam packaging for various products and foam insulation for water heaters.

“Foam is our product,” plant manager Steven Bernard said.

The Lancaster plant is one of 17 Alleguard locations throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“Lancaster is the perfect place for us to create a Midwest production center capable of meeting our company’s growing demands,” Alleguard Vice President of Human Resources Trisha Feely said.

Water heater company A. O. Smith is one of Alleguard’s biggest customers. Bernard said it makes up about 30% to 35% of Alleguard’s business. Sunoco, Whirlpool and local company, Zebco Industries, are some other customers.

Along with the county’s grant, the city awarded Alleguard with its program called the Performance Withholding Incentive for Industrial and Advanced Technology Jobs. The award comes in the form of a 5-year, 50% payroll withholdings grant worth $82,500.

Alleguard was also awarded an Ohio Jobs capital expenditure grant for $175,000.

“Workforce is obviously very important in Fairfield County with all the initiatives we’ve been doing,” Szabrak said. “We think that’s something that sets us apart. So when a firm buys a company like FPM you want to show them that the community is behind business growth.

“And you want to show them they can find the workers. I think Alleguard is investing in the plant and in people. So we want to do everything we can to show them this is the place they should focus on their investment.”

Mayor David Scheffler said Alleguard is welcome in the community. He said the company will strengthen the city’s manufacturing industry base and bring new opportunities to the community. jbarron@gannett.com 740-681-4340

Twitter: @Jeffdbarron