If you think manufacturing in Massachusetts has gone the way of the penny candy store, then you haven’t been to Devens. That’s the Central Massachusetts community where Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group, a global manufacturer of peristaltic pumps and associated fluid path technologies, plans to expand.
The $97.6 million project, which broke ground in October 2021, involves constructing an estimated 150,000 square foot, LEED-certified manufacturing facility with space to accommodate 150 new jobs and capacity for future expansion. Real estate brokers Jake Borden and Greg Klemmer of Colliers International led the extensive site search and identified the property.
During the site selection process, Watson-Marlow turned to Business Development Strategies, Inc. (“BDS”), a leading government tax incentives consulting firm, to assist with negotiating and securing tax incentives. President Lynn Tokarczyk and the BDS team guided Watson-Marlow through layers of the government incentives process. As a result, Watson-Marlow gained unanimous support for Tax Increment Financing (“TIF”) from the MassDevelopment Board of Directors and the Massachusetts Economic Coordinating Council, assisting the company in selecting Devens as its new site for manufacturing.
“We are excited that Watson-Marlow has decided to expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint here in Devens and invest in our community,” said Jessica Strunkin, MassDevelopment’s Executive Vice President of Devens. “We look forward to welcoming Watson-Marlow to Devens and establishing a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with them in the years ahead.”
The continued strength of manufacturing in Massachusetts has been key to job growth and keeping the state competitive in the global marketplace. Devens, a former military base, serves as a desirable location for companies seeking available real estate, a streamlined permitting process, and a business-friendly environment.
Michael Ferrucci, Treasurer, Watson-Marlow, Inc. praises Tokarczyk and the BDS team for their guidance throughout the incentives process. “They are true professionals, and we could not have attained substantial financial results without their expertise”, he says. “We were very pleased with MassDevelopment’s positive response to attracting our company and offering tax incentives, and we look forward to becoming an active part of the Devens community.”