ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 10, 1996 TAG: 9602120010
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: ELISSA MILENKY STAFF WRITER
MEMO: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.
Up to 100 new jobs at Tetra/Secondnature could be created by 1997, a direct result of the company's recently completed expansion.
The company, a subsidiary of pharmaceutical giant Warner-Lambert Co., added 10,000 square feet to its building in the Blacksburg Industrial Park, its second major expansion since it moved here in 1993.
The extra space will house operations being moved from Tetra's Oakland, N.J., plant and assembly work previously done by subcontractors.
Initially, 15 new employees will be hired by April in jobs ranging from marketing and engineering to purchasing. Some of those positions have been filled, but the company is still accepting applications at its Blacksburg plant, said Alan Mintz, Tetra/Secondnature's general manager.
By 1997, this latest expansion could create 85 more jobs for a total of 100 new positions.
Tetra, the world's leading manufacturer of aquariums, fish foods and terrarium products, has its North American headquarters in Blacksburg. Though it posted $230 million in sales last year, Warner-Lambert is considering selling Tetra and other noncore divisions of its company. Warner-Lambert could then invest in and revitalize the pharmaceutical side of its business.
A Warner-Lambert spokeswoman said earlier this week the company would only sell its Tetra division for a large return.
"While it is true Warner-Lambert is evaluating the sale of the Blacksburg-based Tetra/Secondnature Division, it is highly unlikely there would be an impact on the area," said a news release from Tetra/Secondnature, which went on to detail the plant's latest expansions.
Before 1993, the company rented facilities in Pulaski County but consolidated its facilities in Blacksburg that year. At the time of the consolidation, Tetra/Secondnature employed 65 people; the plant now employs almost 100.
The first expansion was in 1994, when the plant went from 98,000 to 196,000 square feet. This expansion enabled the company to distribute products Tetra/Secondnature acquired when it purchased Willinger Bros., Inc., a New Jersey-based heater and filter maker.
"The Tetra facility in Blacksburg is modern, efficient and totally capable of operating the current and significantly expanded business for the foreseeable future," the release continued. "It is regarded as a key asset in the possible sale of the business."
LENGTH: Medium: 51 linesby CNB