Colgate-Palmolive Company announced Wednesday plans to invest $1.2 million in machinery and equipment as part of a Phase I investment in the production of liquid hand soap at its Cambridge facility. 

Additionally, the Township of Cambridge has received a grant of $342,600 for upgrades to Desmond Drive and Guernsey Industrial Boulevard.

The investment comes as a result of increased demand for liquid hand soap during the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization has reported that regularly cleaning hands is one of the most important steps an individual can make towards slowing the spread of the virus. Sales of liquid hand soap and sanitizers have surged across the U.S. and several international markets.

Colgate-Palmolive is one of the premier employers in Guernsey County, with over 300 full-time equivalent jobs paying above-average wages and offering outstanding benefits. The Cambridge facility manufactures cleaners, dish detergents, fabric conditioners and liquid hand soap.

“The Colgate-Palmolive Cambridge Team is very excited for the investment in our site and our team,” Plant Manager Rick Davis said. “Our site has a long tradition of high performance and has had a strong community partnership since the plant was built in 1988. We look forward to this continued partnership.”

“We and our partners at JobsOhio appreciate Colgate-Palmolive’s confidence in Southeast Ohio and the talented workforce in Guernsey County,” said Mike Jacoby, Ohio Southeast president. “The Ohio Development Services Agency’s tax credit will play an essential role in bringing Colgate-Palmolive’s Cambridge facility the latest production equipment as well as 25 new jobs.”

“Colgate-Palmolive is one of Guernsey County's premier employers, universally regarded as a great place to work and a major contributor to quality of life activities within the county,” said Norm Blanchard, executive director of the Cambridge-Guernsey Community Improvement Corporation. “Improvements to Guernsey Industrial Boulevard will be the initial visible evidence of this major Colgate investment. 

“Designed by the County Engineer's Office with input from Jackson Township, two separate Ohio Department of Transportation grants will provide a significant upgrade to this primary access to the Colgate campus. The Guernsey County Community Improvement Corporation is committed to doing all that is necessary to facilitate any and all of Colgate's investment in Guernsey County.”

About Colgate Palmolive Company: Colgate-Palmolive Company is an American multinational consumer Products Company headquartered on Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It specializes in the production, distribution and provision of household, health care, personal care and veterinary products. The Cambridge, Ohio facility of Colgate-Palmolive Company is a part of the Personal Care Products Division.
 
About JobsOhio: JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio though Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow JobsOhio on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
 
About Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE): OhioSE is the JobsOhio Network Partner for southern, eastern and southeastern Ohio, providing economic development work and resources in 25 rural counties; they are the newest and geographically the largest of the six regions across the state. OhioSE partners closely with regional development districts, local economic development offices, state agencies and other entities to expand, retain and attract businesses in the counties they serve. Learn more at OhioSE.com.