Flex PCB Fabricator, Parlex, Expands in Methuen

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In line with its expansion plans, Parlex Corp., a high-tech manufacturer of flexible circuit products and laminated cables, is moving its work from its <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Rhode Island facility to the Methuen facility. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

The closing of the Cranston, R.I., facility means a loss of 250 jobs, according to published reports in a Rhode Island newspaper. At least 20 employees have agreed to move to Methuen, company officials told the newspaper.

At present, the company is hiring employees who will travel to both Methuen and Rhode Island during the transition process that is expected to take six to nine months, according to its website. Once the transition is complete this spring, the new employees will be based in Methuen.The high-tech company plans to add between 75 and 90 jobs to its local headquarters, including both relocation of employees from Rhode Island and new hires, Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce President Joe Bevilacqua.

Meanwhile, for Methuen, the expansion is good news.

The expansion of local business is the focus of the year-old Merrimack Valley Means Business program headed by the chamber to encourage economic growth and new jobs. "We were happy to work with the chamber to get those people here," said Karen Sawyer Faust, the city's Economic and Community Development Director. "New jobs have an insularly effect. It's more people in Methuen; they're buying gas, food and shopping. It's absolutely significant."

Last Saturday, Bevilacqua and others gave dozens of potential new Methuen residents, including Parlex's employees, a crash course on the region. The meeting touched on education, health care, real estate, banking and other items any new resident would be interested in, Bevilacqua said.

"These are all new jobs for Methuen, (whether) people move here or just new jobs posted," Bevilacqua said. "We're very pleased they decided to stay and grow here in Massachusetts and particularly in Methuen."Bevilacqua said he worked with state and city leaders to walk Parlex through the permitting process to allow its expansion. After some hurdles, the permits were approved.

"It's important to expand the commercial tax base in our community," Bevilacqua said. "It shows a major corporation has confidence to keep jobs and expand here. That sends a positive message to other companies."

State Sen. Steven Baddour, D-Methuen, worked to get the company a variance from a state board to allow the expansion after it was initially denied. "Economic growth is more than an abstract concept, it is state and local leaders working with businesses like Parlex to bring well-paying jobs to our communities," Baddour said in a statement.