Stephanie Ramczyk, All American’s business development director, said the decision to locate in Kalama resulted from their role as exclusive distributor for Bennu Glass.
“[We have known for some time that] opening an office in the Northwest was part of our plans,” said Ramczyk. “The agreement with Bennu sped up those plans.”
Ramczyk noted that Bennu Glass is her company’s only domestic glass supply.
“Many people, especially in the wine industry, look for a domestic supplier. Because that market’s been so tight, it’s been difficult to get domestic glass,” she said.
With two new businesses and a major expansion at Emerald Kalama Chemical, the Port of Kalama Marketing Manager Liz Newman said the port is succeeding at its mission of bringing investment and jobs to the region.
“We’re lucky in Kalama geographically,” Newman said. “The hills come close to the river here, so that forces the main line of the railroad into a very close connection with the river, the shipping channel and also with interstate 5.”
Newman also reported that there are currently more than 800 employees at port-located industries, including over 90 at the new Bennu Glass plant.
