So far so good.
When B.Braun in 2016 announced its plans to take over the former Gambro manufacturing plant in Daytona Beach, it pledged to create over the next few years at least 175 new jobs that would pay an average of at least $41,936 a year, well above the current countywide average pay for workers in Volusia County.
The company also pledged to invest $100.5 million in capital improvements, including expanding the plant at 1845 Mason Ave.
Those pledges were prodded, at least in part, by the offer of a performance-based economic incentive package from the state, county and city worth up to $8.2 million, provided the German medical products manufacturer lives up to its end of the deal.
B.Braun officials have not responded to requests for comment, however, a copy of a letter from the company to the city obtained by The News-Journal sheds light on its progress to date on meeting its hiring/investment goals.
“We are excited to share that we have successfully achieved and surpassed our first round of commitments as described,” wrote Bruce Heugel, an executive vice president for B.Braun Medical Inc., in a Dec. 11 letter to the city.
“Per our application, we committed to hiring 25 new, full-time equivalent jobs by the end of year 2 at an average annual wage of $41.963,” he wrote. “As of October 31, 2017, we have exceeded that commitment by hiring 38 new, full-time equivalent jobs at an average annual wage (of) $68,171, plus approximately 30 percent of benefits …”
Heugel added that his company “committed to spending $63,555,000 on capital investments by the end of year 2. As of October 31, 2017, we have exceeded that commitment by spending $83,549,000, which represents 83 percent of our total project commitment. B.Braun Medical Inc. is on target to exceed the remaining job and capital commitments as well. We graciously await next steps to formerly begin the seven-year property tax abatement in the current year.”
Products made at the Daytona Beach plant include IV bags.