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wo years ago, Cox Target Media (CTM) announced plans to build a new, state-of-the-art production facility in St. Petersburg, Fla., near where the company was founded in 1968. When completed in early 2007, North America's direct mail leader, provider of the familiar blue Valpak envelope full of money-saving coupon offers, will close its production plants in Elm City, N.C., and Largo, Fla., and transition its volume to the new plant.
   CTM's Largo location will continue to serve as the company's headquarters and house administrative, customer service, graphics and national sales staff.
   Instead of simply shutting down operations and moving out, management decided to mount a national advertising campaign designed to market the existing North Carolina plant to another business that would preserve the 300-plus jobs of its Elm City employees and create new employment opportunities for the community located about 50 miles east of Raleigh, N.C. The fully functioning facility offers a central location and a skilled labor pool appropriate for any direct mail, printing, fulfillment or publishing entity.
   "It was important to us to do something proactive to minimize the impact of this business decision on our North Carolina employees and community," said CTM Vice President Jeff Mitchell, who is leading the effort to secure a buyer for the site.
   By openly and honestly sharing the company's vision for growth so far in advance, employees were given options and time that enabled them to decide whether to qualify for a position at the new facility or look for work elsewhere.
   "It is just as important to us to help keep jobs in the Elm City community as it is for us to invest in the future of our company," continued Mitchell. "We think our Elm City operation is one of the best print, insertion and lettershop facilities in the country. Coupled with a well-trained workforce, it creates a compelling package for any firm considering expansion or relocation to eastern North Carolina."
   Valpak® officials also have partnered with the Governor's Office, as well as state and local economic development officials, to find a buyer for the 51-acre site, comprised of the 191,000-square-foot main facility and a 40,000-square-foot building suitable for additional office, training, or warehousing needs, before the move to the new Florida facility begins in early 2007. When completed, the St. Petersburg facility will be one of the largest industrial structures in the Tampa Bay area as well as a showcase for a one-of-a-kind process that combines advanced printing, assembly, packaging and warehousing equipment.
   Cox Target Media is owned by Cox Newspapers, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises, Inc., the fifth largest media company by revenue in the United States.
   For more information, contact Jeff Mitchell at (727) 319-5482 or email facilityinfo bounce@coxtarget.com.