‘Power Stick’ manufacturer moving to Forks, investing $16.7M and creating 105 jobs

A health and beauty products manufacturer is moving to the Lehigh Valley to meet its growth needs.

A.P. Deauville LLC, which manufacturers the Power Stick brand of anti-perspirant, body wash and body sprays, will invest $16.7 million to move its headquarters and manufacturing operations from New Brunswick, New Jersey, to Forks Township. The move is expected to create 105 new jobs in the region over the next three years.

The company plans to purchase and renovate an 180,000-square-foot facility doubling its current manufacturing capacity in New Jersey. Deauville plans to spend $9 million to acquire the facility, $5 million for machinery and equipment and $2 million in renovations.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development offered the company a $250,000 Pennsylvania First grant to be distributed upon the creation of the new jobs and $50,000 for job training.

“A.P. Deauville is excited to start the next phase of growth in Pennsylvania and could not have made this move without the help of the Governor’s Action Team, which helped us secure significant statewide tax incentives and grants that made it a very easy decision for us to relocate to Pennsylvania,” said Frederick Horowitz, CEO of A.P. Deauville LLC.

Gov. Tom Wolf welcomed the company’s move to the Lehigh Valley.

“The Lehigh Valley is a region historically known for its manufacturing strength and we are pleased that A.P. Deauville is relocating its operations here,” he said. “The need for A.P. Deauville to more than double its production space to keep up with consumer demand is a testament to the company’s growth, and it will result in a significant and long-term investment and 105 new well-paying manufacturing jobs for Pennsylvanians.”

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. and Northampton County Industrial Development Authority helped in luring the company to the region. The NCIDA awarded a $105,000 Job Creation Grant Program to Deauville to offset the cost of machinery and equipment.

“This is exactly the kind of project NCIDA exists to support: one that creates high-quality, high-paying jobs in a key target sector for the Lehigh Valley economy,” said Marilyn Lieberman, chair of the NCIDA. “We’re so pleased we could play a role in helping bring this company to Northampton County and to support their future growth and success here in the Lehigh Valley.”

The company has been encouraged to apply for a Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loan and may also be eligible for DCED’s Manufacturing Tax Credit program.

Deauville sells its products at national retailers such as CVS, Stop & Shop, Menards, Foodtown, Giant Foods, ShopRite, Hannafords, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar.

Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the LVEDC said Lehigh Valley’s central location and proximity to markets will help the company continue selling its brands to major retailers.

As an employer, wages at A.P. Deauville range from $15 per hour for production workers to $100,000 annually for senior management.

“This is exactly the kind of development we want to encourage in Northampton County,” said Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure. “A.P. Deauville will be a wonderful addition to our business community.”

The new facility will be at 3700 Glover Road in Forks Township. The company hopes to complete renovations by October and be up and running by the end of the year.