Broadview Wipe Company Planning Move to Forest Park

A Broadview company that makes and supplies wet wipes to major facilities as far away as China is planning to move all of its operations to a mostly-vacant industrial building in Forest Park.

At a Village Board meeting Dec. 17, commissioners approved a resolution supporting 2XL Corp. in its efforts to get a Cook County real estate tax abatement to improve the property at 7550 Industrial Drive. 

The plant, which makes, warehouses and distributes wet wipes in bulk to fitness clubs, hotels and other major outlets, is currently located at 2415 Braga Drive in Broadview.

2XL is planning to double in size in its new home and add as many as 10 new jobs, based on the company's growth, said Robert Giammanco, who along with his wife Michelle, is 2XL's CEO.

To expand, the corporation will apply for a Class 6b, incentive; approval for that incentive must come from the Cook County Board and could take place early next year, Giammanco said.

A Class 6b designation allows companies to pay less in real estate taxes with the money going toward rehabilitation of existing industrial structures and the industrial reutilization of abandoned buildings. The program is offered as a way of stimulating community development.

Giammanco said the company will use the incentive to improve the property, install new lighting and upgrade the fire code.

"We would like to bring it up to today's standards," he said.

To do that, Giammanco said it could cost about $1 million beyond the purchase price.

He anticipates the company could be up and running in Forest Park by early April.