Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 23, 1994 TAG: 9401240257
SECTION: ECONOMY PAGE: EC-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LON WAGNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
\ It's hard to tell what it will be like to work for Transkrit Corp. in Roanoke - the manufacturer of specialty business forms isn't here yet.
At this point, Transkrit's Roanoke Valley operations consist of a handful of managers and a few dozen new hires working in a temporary training facility in Salem.
But that will change next month, when Transkrit shifts its headquarters and much of its manufacturing operations from Brewster, N.Y., to Roanoke's Centre for Industry and Technology.
To make that transition a smooth one and to help train new workers, Transkrit set up some manufacturing equipment in Salem and connected several computers to its main operation in Brewster.
Although at least 100 people from New York have decided to move to Roanoke to keep their jobs with the company, President Jack Resnick said the company still will need to hire 60 people locally. The new hires will include accountants, press operators, customer service people and a graphic artist.
Resnick said experienced press operators are starting with the company at about $13 an hour, while inexperienced floor workers are being paid $9-$10 an hour.
When the company decided to move, it offered jobs and moving expenses to Roanoke to 125 members of its Brewster work force. Because of a tough housing market in Brewster, Resnick said, the company was unsure how many of its workers would make the move.
But about 80 percent have decided to come to Roanoke.
"Our people are really looking forward to it," Resnick said. "Some of the unknowns that ran through everyone's mind in the beginning have been greatly satisfied.
"We're only getting good feedback from the people down there," he added. "Everyone has come back saying, `The people are terrific down there.' Some people have bought houses already. Some have already moved in."
The company decided to move for two reasons: The cost of doing business in New York was too high, and Roanoke would put Transkrit closer to many customers.
The company will save money on real estate taxes, insurance and wages - the workers who move will undergo a downward "pay adjustment" - by moving to Roanoke. Transkrit expects to begin manufacturing in Roanoke on Feb. 21.
\ TRANSKRIT CORP.
A NEW NAME
The company: Transkrit Corp. is the nation's largest manufacturer of business mailing forms. It uses laser printers to make tax forms and specialty mailers.
Headquarters: Moving from Brewster, N.Y., to Roanoke.
Roanoke Valley operations: Last January, Transkrit announced it would build a manufacturing plant at Roanoke's Centre for Industry and Technology; a few months later, the company decided to move its headquarters to Roanoke as well. The company is nearing completion of its 110,000 square-foot building. The plant is to employ 170 management and production people and is scheduled to open next month.
by CNB