Wednesday, May 05, 1999
Middletown fixture seeking new office space
Paper recycler could leave city
BY MIKE BOYER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Thermo Black Clawson, a fixture in Middletown for more than a century, is looking for new office space — and not necessarily in Middletown.
William J. Fondow, president of the paper-recycling company, said the two-story office building that the company occupies on Clark Street is too antiquated for its growing business.
“After spending 90 years in the same location, we have to admit that it's a better choice to move on to more modern facilities,” he said.
The company employs 150 at the corporate office and another 20 at a research and technology center, which will remain on Jefferson Street.
Mr. Fondow said the company, which moved most of its manufacturing operations to Rayville, La., seven years ago, wants to remain in the Butler County area along the Interstate 75 corridor.
But he said the company doesn't think there's a site in Middletown that fits its needs.
He said the company was looking to lease between 30,000 and 40,000 square feet of space on a single floor, preferably north of I-275 along the I-75 corridor.
He said that area is ideal for the company's employees, many of whom live in Cincinnati's northern suburbs.
Larry Wood, principal planner for the city of Middletown, said he understands Thermo Black Clawson's needs and thinks the city can still accommodate them.
“Their building is quite antiquated and not very functional,” he said. “They feel there aren't any existing buildings in Middletown that meet their needs.”
But Mr. Wood said the city has annexed a lot of land along I-75, most recently about 1,100 acres.
Mr. Wood said he didn't know how much employees of Thermo Black Clawson contribute to the city's 11/2 percent earnings tax, but he said loss of the workers “would have a significant tax impact.”
“We are looking for a way to retain them here,” he said. The key will be finding a developer who can work within the company's time schedule, he said.
Mr. Fondow said the company, acquired in 1997 by Thermo Fibertek Inc., hopes to make a decision on a new location within the next two months.
The company last week sold its office building and adjoining 100,000-square-foot plant to the Myron Bowling auction company in Hamilton, which plans to use the site for warehousing. Mr. Fondow said the company hopes to complete its move by the end of the year, although it can occupy its current offices for a year.
P&G cited for Internet ad campaign
New Jif peanut butter flavors to go national
Renting becomes workable option
Middletown fixture seeking new office space
Midwest Payment Systems lands supermarket account
TRISTATE BUSINESS SUMMARY
INDUSTRY NOTES: MEDIA & MARKETING
Limited Inc. shares up 11 percent
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
