Ashland Specialty Products produces products that include Scrubbing Bubbles, toothpaste and mouthwash. At one time, the company's business planning included leaving the state of New Jersey. However, those plans have changed.
The company is taking 200,000 square feet of space in the New Jersey Center of Excellence. The new center will handle the company's development and testing. Ashland converted the space from the former Sanofi plant in Bridgewater.
Reportedly, it was partially the efforts of Bridgewater officials to persuade the company to remain in New Jersey. A zoning change in Aug. 2012 paved the way for Ashland to occupy a portion of the facility. Prior to that change, multiple tenants were not allowed in the space.
Moreover, the company's new location puts it closer to its intended customers. As it turns out, the Congressional District that Ashland now calls home is the nation's center for chemical producers such as Ashland. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by both company and government representatives. The facility will employ approximately 300 people. Several of them are relocating from the company's former location in Wayne.
Even the most careful business planning needs to leave some room for change. Sometimes, an opportunity will present itself that requires business plans to effectuate. If a company's plans are too rigid and the management is unwilling to deviate from those plans, opportunities can be missed. It may require additional work and research into any business and legal issues, but the outcome could provide a company with an avenue to success not previously explored.
Source: Bridgewater, NJ Patch, Ashland Opens Bridgewater Research Facility, John Patten, Jan. 24, 2014
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