Governor Perdue Announces Dicon Technologies to Build New U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Bryan County

Medical components maker plans initial hiring of 88 workers

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Dicon Technologies, Inc., a medical component manufacturer and a supplier to U.S. troops, will construct a new facility in coastal Bryan County. The company will create up to 100 jobs in the next five years and invest almost $3.7 million.

“I am proud to welcome an innovative company to like Dicon Technologies to Georgia,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Dicon will find that Georgia workers have the kinds of skills and commitment to the job that helps companies grow and thrive.”

Governor Perdue made today’s announcement from the 2008 BIO International Convention in San Diego, the world’s leading conference and exhibition for the biosciences community.

Dicon’s medical components are used in the skin care, foot care and medical industries and are customized for sale to companies and hospitals. The company’s medical products focus on diabetic wound care, cosmeceuticals and foot care, which are sold globally under its own brands and through partnerships with some of the largest retailers in the world, including K-Mart, Albertson’s and numerous drugstore chains.   Dicon, which currently manufactures all of its products in China, has made the progressive decision to manufacture many of its current and future technology-driven advanced products in Bryan County. Some of these new medical products are intended to supply U.S. troops serving in Iraq and elsewhere around the world.

“We are very impressed by Georgia’s progressive economic development and partnership programs, as well as the skilled workforce here,” said Sam Ginsberg, chairman of Dicon Technologies. “Those factors, in addition to ease of exporting thanks to our proximity to Georgia’s ports and to Dow Chemical, a key strategic partner, give us great confidence that Georgia is the right location to make the technology-driven, advanced products the health industry demands.”          

Dicon will occupy a temporary location in July and will locate in its new building in the Interstate Centre business park in December 2008. The company will use Georgia’s award-winning QuickStart program to train its workforce. The privately-owned company, based in Allendale, N.J., is also considering a relocation of its headquarters, as well as its research and development facility, to Georgia.

“Bryan County is an ideal location for companies like Dicon who are looking for a solid infrastructure, talented workforce and access to the amenities of Savannah and the coast,” said Jean Bacon, executive director of the Development Authority of Bryan County.  “We look forward to counting Dicon among our corporate citizens and to helping them grow.”

Andrew Neumann, project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Peggy Jolley, of Georgia Power, collaborated with the Bryan County Development Authority, Herty Advanced Materials Development Center and Quantum, Inc. special needs center to assist the company with its location.

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