Sen. Fasano: Applauds BYK – Global Company Invests $47 million Adding Jobs to Wallingford

Robin Wilson, Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce, Rep. Mary Fritz, Nick Caputi, BYK , dignitaries and Wallingford Mayor William Dickinson, Sen. Len Fasano groundbreaking ceremony at BYK in Wallingford.

Hartford, CT – Senator Len Fasano (R-Wallingford) joined Wallingford Mayor, William Dickinson and Representative Mary Fritz (D-Wallingford) along with executives from BYK USA Inc. and Covanta Energy for a ground breaking ceremony on Tuesday September 25.

BYK, an international firm that produces additives for the paint and plastics industries, acquired the 1.1 acre of property on South Cherry Street, Wallingford for construction of a new $47 million plant – the largest single investment the additives company has made outside of their home base of Germany.

“Connecticut is grateful and Wallingford is very pleased that BYK has decided to stay in our state and create nearly 40 jobs – without interference from government,” said Sen. Fasano. “Their success is our success.”

Rep. Mary Fritz echoed that sentiment, “Our community will benefit from the commitment of BYK to grow their business here. This is a major investment in the region and we are very happy this company has chosen, Wallingford as its anchor.”

Nick Caputi, chief financial officer of BYK, said California, Ohio, North Carolina, and Tennessee are all states that have showed interest in enticing the company to move. BYK employs 120 people and has been in Connecticut for 31 years.

The expansion was made possible through a long-term partnership with Covanta, an energy from waste facility located right next to BYK. The two companies entered into an agreement that includes the sale of land adjacent to Covanta – enabling BYK to build their plant.

“Covanta and BYK should be commended for their diligence in approving an agreement that is good for the community, good for our local economy and good for their respective businesses,” said Mayor Dickinson of Wallingford.

BYK executives said they anticipate that the expansion will increase the company’s manufacturing capacity by 300 percent and will allow the firm to hire 37 new full-time employees. Company officials say the new production areas will be phased in starting in early 2014.

BYK has already contracted two local companies, A to Z Construction in Hamden and IDEA Engineering of Milford to begin work on the project. The company also has facilities in Germany, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates.