A Flint Township-based packaging and supply chain services company has closed on the purchase of the former Lowe’s home improvement store located on Corunna Road. The company; NorthGate, will repurpose the building as a supply chain services and custom packaging facility and is scheduled to begin operating at the site within the next couple of months.
NorthGate anticipates hiring 30 to 75 people over the next six months to staff the new facility, which will be dedicated to the custom packaging solutions business. With this addition, NorthGate-which provides packaging solutions and supply chain services to the automotive industry and other manufacturers and distributors-will employ more than 300 people throughout its four locations in Flint.
Andy Goggins, CEO and owner of NorthGate, said for the past year NorthGate has been working on securing another location.
“Our goal the entire time has been to find a building within Genesee County and, ideally, in Flint,” he said. “Our mission is to bless people, be prosperous and be the best, and we are committed to doing that here in Flint. We are beyond excited for what the future holds for NorthGate and to be bringing more jobs to the region.”
While the national economy continues to reel from the impact of the coronavirus global pandemic, NorthGate says their team began strategizing in March how best to position the company for not only surviving, but also growing over the next year.
“The past few months have been very difficult, but we are confident that better days are ahead,” Goggins said. “This new building and other strategic changes are our demonstration to customers that we are ready for more business and to our community that we will continue to provide the jobs Flint needs.”
“Anytime a vacant facility can be repurposed for new business activity and additional employment opportunities become available as a result, we consider that a win for our region,” said Tim Herman, CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce.
“Moreover, NorthGate’s expanding footprint here delivers a solid message that Flint and Genesee is indeed a great place to grow a business,” Herman added.
“This new space allows us to expand our supply chain service offerings to our current customer base and provides us the opportunity to ‘be ready’ for new projects with new customers,” explained George Wilkinson, NorthGate president.
“We always welcome the repurposing of an empty building, especially when it involves the expansion of a business that has been a part of our community for many years,” Tracey Tucker, Flint Township economic enhancement director said.
“NorthGate’s plans for the Lowe’s property will provide stability and promote further investment in the Corunna Road business corridor, while offering career opportunities for our residents,” Tucker added.
To learn more about NorthGate visit go2northgate.com.
