May 27, 2008 - Zebra Technologies
Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian's next stop on the One-on-One tour was at Zebra Technologies Inc., where he met with Robert Danahy, Director of Desktop, Mobile and Wireless Technology in order to discuss the company's positive economic impact in the surrounding community. Located at 30 Plan Way just off of Jefferson Boulevard, Zebra Technologies is a leading provider of specialty printing solutions, including on-demand thermal printers, smart media, smart label printers/encoders and digital photo printers.
With luminary clients like UPS, Wal-Mart and T.J. Maxx- it's not surprising that Zebra has a sales and distribution network that spans over 90 countries and has been recognized as one of the nation's fastest growing companies by leading analysts and trade executives. "We've been growing at double digit percentage rates over the last five years or so," said Danahy.
Although the company's headquarters are based out of Illinois, Zebra's proximate effect in Rhode Island is very real. The Warwick plant employs approximately 120 employees, most of whom are highly skilled and educated lab technicians and engineers, with over 50% living within 15 miles of the facility. Zebra also recruits for these positions within the state, often drawing on talent from Brown University, the University of Rhode Island and Providence College.
During the visit Mayor Avedisian learned that the current lease on the facility is near expiring and management is considering all options, including a possible move. Avedisian offered aid from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation in order to facilitate keeping the company in Warwick.