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Webinar: Richmond manufacturers highlight region’s assets
January 22, 2025
The Greater Richmond Partnership (GRP) hosted a webinar in October 2024 with Business Facilities magazine, a leading trade publication for economic development news, to discuss how manufacturers find success in the 21st century. Business Facilities Editorial Director Anne Cosgrove led the webinar with guests Bryant Michael, VP of Supply Chain at Sabra Dipping Company, Troy Hagenbuch, COO of TemperPack, and Jennifer Wakefield, President + CEO of GRP.
Sabra Dipping Company established the largest hummus factory in the world in Chesterfield County in 2010. The facility provides access to Greater Richmond’s strategic mid-Atlantic location on the East Coast and infrastructure network. Sabra continues to invest in the region with three facility expansions over the years.
Founded in 2015 by three college students, TemperPack produces sustainable packaging solutions at scale. TemperPack operates three facilities across the U.S. including one in Henrico County. The company’s sustainable alternatives have helped to protect more than 112 million shipments.
Rich talent pools mitigate workforce challenges
With increasingly competitive workforce recruitment across the nation, attracting top talent remains a key challenge for manufacturers. Sabra partners with technical schools to create a pipeline for skilled labor. “This has allowed us to hire more technical workers and even offer higher wages,” said Michael. The company also now uses automation to address and fill workforce gaps.
TemperPack also creates a competitive edge by emphasizing sustainability in its workforce initiatives. “Our mission to create eco-friendly packaging resonates with our team, giving them something bigger to believe in,” said Hagenbuch. TemperPack’s commitment to its mission has been vital in retaining talent even as the company navigates seasonal workforce needs.
“We are positioned ideally between Raleigh and D.C. with easy access to Hampton Roads and renowned universities including University of Virginia and Virginia Tech,” said Wakefield. “We also have an alliance of our community colleges that are based here, the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA), which partners with local businesses to develop custom programs that support evolving workforce needs.”
In addition to workforce development initiatives like CCWA, the region benefits from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s Talent Accelerator Program (VTAP), ranked the nation’s #1 program for Customized Workforce Training by Business Facilities magazine. VTAP offers fully customized recruitment and training as well as retraining to address industry skills gaps through hands-on simulations, instructor-led sessions and e-learning modules to ensure companies have access to a workforce prepared for current challenges and future growth.
Sustainability and innovation
Greater Richmond is a top region for company operations proven by Virginia’s recognition as the #1 State for Business by CNBC and Site Selection Magazine ranking Greater Richmond the #6 Top Metro by Projects per Capita. Thanks to its strong business climate and commitment to environmental responsibility, the region is perfect for businesses focused on innovation in sustainability.
For example, TemperPack replaces Styrofoam and single-use plastics in packaging with materials made from cornstarch and paper, all of which are curbside recyclable. According to Michael, this commitment has eliminated over 12,000 metric tons of Expanded Polystyrene foam from landfills.
Sabra is innovating its waste management by converting food waste into compost and biofuel. “We’re excited about turning waste into energy which helps both the environment and our bottom line,” said Michael.
The panelists also mentioned artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in manufacturing. Sabra is exploring AI solutions to streamline administrative tasks and improve data analysis on production shifts for faster decision-making and enhanced efficiency.
Locating for less risk
Thanks to its inland position and temperate climate, Greater Richmond stands out as a top choice for companies seeking a low-risk location. Ranked the #1 Most Climate Resilient City in the U.S. by USA Today, the region offers one of the best location values to companies looking to minimize operational disruptions. Businesses operating in Greater Richmond benefit from reduced vulnerability to extreme weather conditions and natural disasters, ensuring smoother operations and fewer delays compared to other metro areas.
Sabra’s Michael said, “You can never get rid of risk in terms of natural disasters. But [Greater Richmond] is one of the areas that was chosen and picked…it’s kind of in this temperate area, you don’t get harsh winters. It stays milder than you do if you go up north a couple hundred miles and then it’s not quite as severe as the heat and humidity if you go down south a couple hundred miles.”
Hagenbuch echoed these thoughts, “Being 60, 70 miles from the coast also protects us from anything going up the coast. And yet we still have that access to The Port of Virginia’s Richmond Marine Terminal.”
Greater Richmond’s support for manufacturers
Greater Richmond’s affordability, climate-resiliency and robust infrastructure make it a top choice for manufacturers seeking growth, innovation and sustainability. Whether facilitating access to top-notch talent, encouraging eco-friendly practices or leveraging cutting-edge technology, Greater Richmond is well-equipped to help manufacturing companies thrive. For businesses looking to expand or relocate, the region offers a foundation built on collaboration, opportunity and long-term success.
Contact us below to learn how your manufacturing company can benefit from Greater Richmond’s business advantages:
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