Growing company to consolidate operations in new Libertyville building
A homegrown company in an expansion mode plans to consolidate operations in a new facility on the northwest side of Libertyville.
Trees have been cleared and silt fencing installed, and construction is set to begin on a 126,611-square-foot office/warehouse/distribution center for PharmaLogistics Ltd. in the Libertyville Corporate Center.
The center at the southwest corner of Butterfield Road and Route 137 received village approvals for two additional buildings in 2008, but development at the 39-acre site stalled because of a downturn in the commercial real estate market.
That long streak will be snapped at 2 p.m. Friday with the ceremonial groundbreaking by PharmaLogistics, founded in 1996 by Libertyville resident Michael Zaccaro.
"He actually started the business in his basement," said company spokeswoman Daniela Weiszhar. "He really has a tie to Libertyville and the community."
The company provides a reverse pharmaceutical distribution service dealing with non-dispensed and expired drugs from pharmacies and hospitals. Those entities can receive a rebate from drug companies, but returning the materials involves several regulations and requirements, according to Weiszhar.
"We're basically the middleman between the pharmacy and manufacturers," she said. "We're keeping everybody compliant."
A few years ago, the company outgrew its facility in Mundelein and transferred the office staff to leased space at 1795 Butterfield Road in the Libertyville Corporate Center. About 40 employees work in the Libertyville office and 80 in the processing center in Mundelein.
"We will be under one roof again," Weiszhar said. "We're looking to be in early next year."
The new building on about 10 acres will bring the property closer to completion, said Heather Rowe, the village's economic development coordinator. "Additionally, the project will bring approximately 120 employment positions, with an expectation by the business to further grow the operation up to nearly double their labor force," she said.
That's also good for nearby retail businesses, she added.
PharmaLogistics and NuWave LLC occupy a three-story office building at 1795 N. Butterfield Road, and NuWave has a warehouse/distribution center next door. While two new buildings have been permitted, the balance of the property has remained vacant.
The village reached an agreement with the former property owner in 2008 that included an overall plan for the site and called for development within three years. That was extended in 2011, in 2014 and again in 2017 at the request of a new owner.