Conveyor systems firm to bring 25 jobs to Roanoke County 

A Netherlands-based company announced Tuesday it will open its first U.S. facility in Roanoke County, creating 25 new jobs over the next three years.

Canline Systems, a supplier of conveyor systems for the packaging industry, is making its move after the announcement last week that the Ardagh Group would invest $93.5 million in the county to open a can-making facility that will employ 96 people and manufacture more than 4.5 million cans per day for food products.

Canline Systems “is expanding in the United States to be closer to its customers,” said Jill Loope, the acting director with the Roanoke County Department of Economic Development.

Canline Systems designs and manufactures an automated conveyor system that uses magnetic and vacuum technologies to move up to 2,400 cans per minute, according to a news release by county officials. The company has chosen a 10,500-square-foot facility at 6525 Commonwealth Drive in southwest Roanoke County.

Supervisor Mike Altizer praised Loope and her work with the Roanoke Regional Partnership in getting another international company into the Roanoke Valley. Ardagh Group is based in Luxembourg.

“I think that says a lot about Roanoke County and it says a lot about this region,” Altizer said. “These are becoming big wins for the region. This is great news, keep it up!”

According to a Canline Systems official, the operation is expected to be running and hiring assemblers by Oct. 1. Loope said the company plans to pay competitive wage for its posted jobs.

The supervisors on Tuesday also approved a three-party performance agreement among Roanoke County, the county Economic Development Authority and Ardagh Group, which has purchased the former Hanover Direct distribution center building on Hollins Road.

The agreement allows the county to offer Ardagh Group three years of tax reimbursement. If the company generates less than the estimated new local tax revenue, the reimbursement amount will be adjusted, according to the agreement.

The three-year period is set to begin January 2015, when the new facility is expected to be in full operation. After the three-year agreement ends, county official said they anticipate collecting about $700,000 per year in local revenue.

The supervisors supported the agreement unanimously.

“That investment will pay off hugely in the future ... and not just for Roanoke County,” said Supervisor Richard Flora. “I think we’re going to see the dividends reaped much sooner than we had anticipated.”

Altizer echoed Flora’s sentiments.

“This has been a long time coming and I think this is a big sign,” Altizer said. “It’s big money, just in the jobs for Ardagh here. It’s going to put $4 million into the economy, just in salaries. That’s a lot of money.”

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