Company triples its space in county

BRADENTON - A company that makes pressure sensitive labels, stickers and food-grade labels is planning to stick around, according to a May 21 press release from the Manatee County Economic Development Council.

Kopco Graphics, based in Fairfield, Ohio, came to Manatee County in 2003 via the purchase of a Bradenton printing business, the release said, and the EDC helped it with employee recruitment and tax issues.

"From Paris Hilton's perfume to Publix Supermarkets' groceries, Kopco Graphics serves diverse national and global brands, which helps to insulate the business from economic downturns," said Nancy Engel, the outgoing director of the EDC.

The company has tripled its footprint in the county with a 12,000-square-foot facility to house more equipment and bigger services for global brands, Engel said.

Kopco's operations manager, Shane Barrett, said the company expects to continue to grow through stronger Internet marketing and internal sales. He plans to add up to three employees in 2009 in production and customer service.

"Our business is strongly focused in food and nutritional supplements. Despite the slow economy, people are still eating and taking their vitamins," Barrett said. "Sales revenues were up 25 percent in 2008 over the previous year, and we are achieving a 17 percent growth rate so far this year. We hope to outgrow our new facility within five years. When that happens, we'll stay in Manatee County."