Company invests $1.6 million in Fremont

FREMONT — First Choice Packaging announced plans to invest about $1.6 million into its Fremont facility. The company provides packaging services to customers in a variety of industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, medical, transportation and more. It plans to purchase a new automated thermoformer — a device that heats the plastic to form it over a mold — for its Fremont facility on West State Street. "The new thermoformer will add capacity, increase efficiencies and reduce costs by as much as 40 percent in some instances," said Paul Tomick, the company's chairman and owner. "This will allow us to expand into new markets, particularly the food and possibly medical markets with some additional investment." Tomick added the facility's location enables them to reach half of the U.S. market within two days allowing the company to cut transportation times and stay competitive. In preparation for the new equipment, the company will install a new roof and make infrastructure improvements to the 290,000-square-foot facility. The company also plans to add at least nine new jobs. "I want to thank First Choice Packaging for its commitment to Fremont and express how excited I am for their growth in our community," Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez said. "Any time local companies make an investment that creates new jobs, it is good for the community." The mayor also recognized the city's economic development director Bob Gross and Beth Hannam, the executive director of the Sandusky County Economic Development Corp., for the effort they put into helping local manufacturers meet their needs. "(The corporation) is pleased to see First Choice Packaging grow and invest in Sandusky County and wish them nothing but success in their operations in Fremont," Hannam said.