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July 23, 2024

Waterbury plastics company to move to new 80,000-square-foot Watertown facility

Contributed Waterbury-based Forum Contract Manufacturing recently bought a 25 acre development site in Watertown.
By Michael Puffer

Waterbury-based Forum Contract Manufacturing will shortly launch construction of an 80,000-square-foot facility in Watertown, following the purchase of nearly 25 acres off Seemar Road.

The undeveloped industrial lot off privately-owned Seemar Road sold late last week for $2.1 million, according to David Theroux, principal of Drubner Commercial Real Estate Services, which represented the seller and buyer.

Forum contracts to make plastic components for the medical, military and industrial markets. It currently works out of a 45,000-square-foot leased facility on Progress Lane in Waterbury’s East End, and employs more than 100 people. According to Theroux, the Watertown location offers enough room for the planned 80,000-square-foot building, as well as a subsequent 80,000-square-foot expansion, if needed. 

Watertown used a five-year tax abatement to help lure the company during its multi-town search for a new site. The town anticipates about $300,000 to $400,000 in yearly taxes after the tax abatement expires. That will help defray future tax burdens on residents, Watertown Town Manager Mark Raimo said.

Raimo said the company’s plans were approved by town planning staff. He said the company hopes to break ground in August and be ready to move in by next spring. It intends to offer busing to help Waterbury-based employees reach the new location, he said.

“We are trying to take a proactive approach to attract businesses such as Forum Plastics to Watertown,” Raimo said. “We won’t offer tax incentives to everybody, but, if we see a need to help someone come to Watertown and they will be a good partner for Watertown, we want to help them.”

Waterbury officials said they attempted to keep the company in the city. 

“While we are sorry to lose them, we understand their changing needs,” Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski said. “Despite our efforts, we were unfortunately unable to meet their needs at this time. We wish them well and look forward to continuing to expand economic opportunities in Waterbury.” 

The Watertown land had been on the market for more than a decade, Theroux said.

It was most recently owned by a limited liability company tied to the Heitkamp & Thumann Group, a global manufacturing company headquartered in Germany, with a division in Waterbury. 

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