Candle-lite Company LLC has been in Leesburg for nearly two hundred years. They recently announced an expansion at their southern Ohio manufacturing facility. Earlier this year, a strong increase in demand prompted the company to take growth action. Ohio’s logistical network and strong workforce has made the Leesburg location an efficient and productive facility for Candle-lite.
Adding a third shift to manufacture its candle products, the expansion will add 64 employees and an investment of $3,297,480 to the facility. Candle-lite, which has 535 FTEs, is the largest private sector employer in Highland County.
“Candle-lite products have a long history associated with Leesburg and I am glad to have worked with the company to expand its operations through JobsOhio funds,” said Taylor Stepp, OhioSE Project Manager. “Highland County is a proven manufacturing location and possesses a high-quality workforce with strong work ethic.”
The project is being assisted with a $130,000 JobsOhio workforce development grant that will help train employees in maintenance, product knowledge and quality and technical skills.
“The growth of Candle-lite during its 180 years in Ohio, the last 68 years in Leesburg, has been truly remarkable,” commented Nicole Oberrecht, Highland County Economic Development. “This company is a highly-valued corporate citizen, and with this expansion, it is renewing its long-standing commitment to Highland County. We congratulate them on their newest announcement and the creation of new jobs.”
Due to the substantial increase, Candle-lite’s candle plant in Leesburg, Ohio is expanding its workforce by adding a third shift.
"We’re pleased by the business growth and the demand to significantly increase our staff,” said Jason Stevens, General Manager of plant operations for Candle-lite. “By adding an additional shift to the facility, we will be able to scale up production, which will ultimately escalate productivity and reduce the need for weekend overtime. This is a real win-win for our business model, current employees, our new hires, and ultimately the community of Leesburg."
Candle-lite is the largest candle supplier to food, drug and mass merchant retailers in the United States and is also America’s oldest candle manufacturer, celebrating 180 years this year.
“We’re excited to see how the growth of our company is impacting not only our business and our employees but also the Leesburg economy for the better,” said Calvin Johnston, Chief Executive Officer, Luminex HD&F. “The added shift not only positively affects current employees' job satisfaction, but will also lift the community of Leesburg by providing new and stable job opportunities and the possibility of further career advancement.”
Interested applicants should visit https://candlelite.applicantpro.com/jobs/ for a complete job listing or email careers@candle-lite.com.