Arm & Hammer Reaches Out to Pennsylvania

By: Andrew Deichler

Household and specialty products provider Church & Dwight broke ground on its new Arm & Hammer manufacturing facility and distribution center in York County, PA, with the promise of bringing 300 new jobs to the region.

The Davies Facility, named after former Church & Dwight CEO Robert A. Davies III, is slated for delivery at the end of next year. The planned 1.1 million-square-foot industrial property will feature a cutting-edge green design, minimizing waste and energy consumption.

Church & Dwight selected the 232-acre site at 260 Hidden Lane due to its proximity to Interstate 83, U.S. Route 30 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as well as its convenient access to rail lines.

After a yearlong search, the company chose the York County site in south central Pennsylvania for its strategic location and its proximity to major highways and railroads. The site is near Interstate 83, U.S. Route 30 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the north, and Interstate 81 to the west. The local railroad, York Rail, has ties to the Norfolk Southern, CSX and Canadian Pacific rail lines.

First Industrial Realty Trust is developing the $150 million facility, with The Norwood Co. signed on as the general contractor. First Industrial purchased the site earlier this month from Stewart Associates for $15 million, or $64,655 per acre.

Kevin Hodge of ROCK Commercial Real Estate represented Stewart in the sale. Joseph McDermott of CB Richard Ellis represented First Industrial.

The York County Economic Development Corp. assisted Church & Dwight in obtaining a $3.25 million funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development that includes a $900,000 opportunity grant, $1.25 million in infrastructure development program funding, $900,000 in job creation tax credits and $200,000 in job training assistance.

The facility will make and distribute Arm & Hammer brand liquid laundry detergent and laundry additives. The General Contractor for the project is The Norwood Co.