NEW BEDFORD — A company that recycles plastic bottles and aluminum cans has decided to relocate its New England operations from Taunton to New Bedford, bringing 11 current jobs with plans to add about 40 more in the near future and to potentially have about 100 workers on the site in the longer term.

Parallel Products of New England Inc. is planning a multi-million-dollar investment in the city. It has leased the former American Flexible Cable site on Shawmut Avenue, with plans to renovate and install equipment. The renovations will cost about $1 million and the equipment being installed will cost millions more, officials said.

The move was announced Monday by city officials and the corporate parent, Parallel Environmental Services Corp. Parallel Products plans to start at the site by the end of March and to have some new operations online by summer.
The company is contemplating a job fair at the site in March or April, said Hal Park, human relations manager for Parallel Environmental Services Corp. The company is privately held and headquartered in Louisville, Ky.

Mayor Scott W. Lang confirmed the company's plans and said the contribution in terms of jobs and tax revenue were important to making the city stronger. Mayor Lang also said the firm helps preserve the environment and save energy.
"Every company that chooses New Bedford makes our city stronger," Mayor Lang said in a prepared statement. "The 50 to 100 jobs they will provide will contribute to the economic health of our city and the recycling service they operate is important to society and the environment."

Matthew A. Morrissey, executive director of the New Bedford Economic Development Council, said the city spent two years working with the company to finalize the decision. "A number of city departments were involved to make this happen, given the needs of Parallel Products," Mr. Morrissey said.

Gene Kiesel, president and CEO of Parallel Products, said in a prepared statement, "We were pleased to find the necessary space and infrastructure to support our continued expansion in New England. We appreciate the good faith and hard work from the mayor's office and the Economic Development Council to help bring this economic expansion to fruition."
The New Bedford location is one of four the company will operate. Others are in metropolitan New York City, Kentucky and California.

Mr. Park said, "We had literally outgrown the facility we were in. We were looking for a bigger facility, better access to highways and room that would allow us to expand. We did not find it in Taunton. New Bedford has a wealth of opportunity."
Mr. Park said the 11 Taunton employees will be offered the opportunity to relocate to New Bedford. Additional hiring will depend on the company's recycling lines and technology.

Mr. Park said the New Bedford jobs will run the gamut from higher skilled positions, such as mechanics and supervisors, to lesser skilled positions, such as people feeding product into machines. In addition to recycling empty beverage containers, Parallel Products also recycles beverage packages that are full.

Contact Joe Cohen at jcohen@s-t.com
January 27, 2009


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