Schenectady, N.Y., February 17, 2006 –Schenectady County officials today announced that J&B Importers, Inc., the largest wholesaler of bicycle parts in the United States, has selected Schenectady County as the site for the company’s northeast distribution center creating 20 new jobs at the Rotterdam Industrial Park.
Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “We continue to attract new companies and new jobs to Schenectady County. This is another positive step forward in our efforts to position Schenectady County as a leading location for growing businesses.”
J&B importers is based in Miami. The company currently operates distribution facilities in Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Texas, Colorado, Washington and California. Since, 1971, the company has been a leading provider of bicycle parts and accessories.
Burton Schwartz, CFO of J&B Importers said, “Rotterdam offers us great access to our customer base in New York and New England. We look forward to growing our business in Schenectady County.”
In Rotterdam, the company will lease 42,000 square feet of space in Building 14, the former OGS Bakery and Warehouse. Building 14 is located in Schenectady’s Empire Zone. The company is eligible to apply for tax credits available under the State’s Empire Zone Program.
The 260,000 square foot former OGS facility has only 40,000 square feet of lease still available for lease as a result of recent expansions by New York Rubber Recycling and the decision by Kimpex to establish its US distribution facility in Rotterdam.
J&B plans to open the Rotterdam facility, its 10th U.S. distribution facility later this spring.
J&B Importers was represented by Larkin Commercial Properties in conducting the site search and lease negotiations.
The Rotterdam Industrial Park is owned by Rotterdam-based Galesi Group, recently ranked as the largest real estate company in the Capital Region.
Schenectady County officials have announced multiple investments at the Rotterdam Industrial Park in recent months by Railex, Price Chopper, New York Rubber Recycling, Kimpex, and the Galesi Group, along with plans to redevelop the former Channel 17 studios as a tech incubator.