The former Ardagh Metal Beverage USA Inc. plant in Whitehouse will soon reopen as a regional distribution center for a New Jersey-based toy company that has been in business for 106 years.
Flybar, Inc ., which opened in 1918, is best known for its pogo sticks.
But since coming under new ownership in 2015, it has diversified with many other products for children, including tumbling mats, swing collections, animal hoppers, hopper balls, scooters, hand-held toy cars, battery-operated cars big enough for kids to ride in, tents, and sleds.
Stalyn Freile, Flybar vice president of people and culture, told The Blade that the company hopes to have the former Ardagh plant reopened as a regional toy distribution center within days so it can help fulfill orders for the upcoming holiday shopping season.
Flybar’s owners purchased the building for $8 million recently, according to the Lucas County Auditor’s Office. While it will take about six months for the renovation to be completed, Flybar is getting it as operational as it can now. It is to be the company’s second distribution center outside of New Jersey, the other one being in Greenwood, S.C., Mr. Freile said.