Most people love to look at beautiful women. Dario Ferrari loves to help make them more beautiful ”“ from New York to Shanghai.
The Italian-based company founded by Ferrari in 1972 has had a presence in Congers since 2000. Intercos has eight commercial offices globally, with production plants in America, Italy, Malaysia and China.
He first started doing business in the U.S. in 1980.
“It was a dream come true,” said Ferrari, “when I landed a $30 million contract with Estee Lauder.” He eventually sold off the private division he created to Lauder and founded another; he also discovered he liked doing business in America, where almost half of the company”™s products are brainstormed, produced, bought and branded by other cosmetics firms.
He was asked why choose Congers when he could pick anywhere in the state, let alone the nation.
“I sent a site selector to find us a good location in New York and he brought me here,” Ferrari said. “I liked Rockland because of the beauty of the area and close proximity to New York City. We also were pleased to discover a talented and creative work force here.”
Susan Jaffe, mid-Hudson regional director for Empire State Development and Ron Hicks, president and CEO of the Rockland Economic Development Corp., joined Ferrari Dec. 7 at Intercos”™ American headquarters to announce the company”™s expansion and a $500,000 grant from ESD.
Ferrari plans to spend $4 million to upgrade the plant and double it in size on its current location, growing its staff of 176 employees to more than 220 in the process. When in peak production season, it employs an additional 250 temporary employees.
The company has outgrown its facility on Route 303 and is currently leasing 125,000 square feet in West Nyack. It hopes to double the size of its current 100,000-square-foot building in Congers, moving the entire operation under one roof. The current plant is on 10 acres and has an adjoining 7-acre parcel.
“The details will all have to be worked out as to how we will physically accomplish the expansion here in Congers,” Ferrari said. Anne Hayden, vice president and controller of Intercos America Inc., said the company might also keep the West Nyack location even after the Congers expansion because of the demand for its products.
Intercos will also enjoy Empire Zone benefits, said Ron Hicks. “It was one of the last companies Rockland was able to get into the program before it ended in June … we are certainly glad they are going to be able to enjoy the benefits while growing a top quality company here in Rockland.” Jaffe agreed, saying Intercos was a “terrific asset to the mid-Hudson and to New York state. The grant is going to help facilitate the expansion and we are fully expecting Intercos will meet or exceed the guidelines set by the Empire Zone requirements.”
“This year, we will produce $100 million worth of product in this plant alone,” Ferrari said. “Eventually, our plan is to move our entire production operation to the U.S.” Jaffe reminded Ferrari that the ESD and REDC would be there to offer any help the company needed in moving forward.
The company underwent a complete restructuring to meet the financial meltdown of 2008, which Ferrari said in a statement to Intercos”™ clients has “set up a war machine that can unhesitatingly grasp the new opportunities that the market offers,” one the company”™s founder plans to win.
