Pittston, Luzerne County, PA -
Pittston Co-Packers Corp. will open its first beverage production operation in the U.S, injecting $30 million into the local economy and creating at least 226 new, full-time jobs in Luzerne County within the next three years, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Monday.
The company has acquired the equipment and balance of Joriki Beverages’ lease at 575 Research Drive in Pittston Twp., which permanently closed in January 2025. Pittston Co-Packers will produce beverages for top U.S. brand contracts that were held by Joriki, and provide job opportunities for that company’s former employees.
“This project is a win for workers, a win for Pittston, and a win for Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said in a news release. “By choosing Pennsylvania for its first U.S. beverage production operation, Pittston Co-Packers is bringing new energy to a shuttered facility, creating hundreds of good-paying jobs, and helping drive economic growth in Luzerne County.”
The company received a funding proposal from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for a $1 million PA First grant and a $76,100 WEDnetPA grant to train workers.
“Pittston Co-Packers Corp.’s commitment to investing in our commonwealth and providing new job opportunities to the people of northeast Pennsylvania is exactly why we’re supporting this project,” DCED Secretary Rick Siger said.
Pittston Co-Packers Corp. is a wholly-owned and newly formed indirect subsidiary of Eastroc Beverage Group Co., Ltd., that provides beverage production and co-packing services.
A history in the region
Christopher John Reed, CEO of Pittston Co-Packers, said in a phone interview that while he’s based in Los Angeles, he’s no stranger to the area, having grown up in Carlisle, Cumberland County, and working with The Lion Brewery in Wilkes-Barre since 1991 when he launched his hand-crafted Reed’s Ginger Brews.
Reed has also been doing business with CSD Copackers in Scranton and has spent over $150 million in the region “having people build products for us.”
He saw an opportunity in March when Joriki’s assets went up for auction, and he partnered with investors to acquire them for $9 million. He declined to name the companies whose Joricki contracts Pittston Co-Packers acquired because of nondisclosure agreements, but, he’s confident the project will be successful.
“There is still a great demand (for beverage production and bottling services) and this is a great location. The people who financed me, this will be their 14th plant. They’re spending $30 million to bring it up to their standards,” Reed said. “We’re highly skilled at what we’re doing.”
Strong commitments
The project was coordinated by Shapiro’s BusinessPA team, an experienced group of economic development professionals dedicated to helping businesses succeed in Pennsylvania through tailored guidance, strategic partnerships, and financial resources.
Kyle Rozitski, administrator for Pittston Twp., said township officials were grateful that Pittston Co-Packers is giving former Joriki employees job opportunities.
“We’re so happy and so appreciative,” Rozitski said. “And I can’t thank Gov. Shapiro, the DCED, (state Rep.) Jim Haddock and (state Sen.) Marty Flynn enough for their help.”
With its $30 million investment and creation of hundreds of new jobs, Pittston Co-Packers “is showing a strong commitment to Luzerne County and, specifically, Pittston,” Haddock said in a news release. “It is wonderful to welcome the company and its new production operation to my district.”
“Through Gov. Shapiro’s guidance, Pennsylvania has provided investments like this $1 million in state funding to strengthen our local communities, grow our manufacturing sector, and position the state as a national leader in innovation and job creation,” Haddock added. “I look forward to continuing working with him to make Northeast Pennsylvania a destination for job growth and economic prosperity.”
Support from Mericle
Reed said Rob Mericle, founder, president and CEO of Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services, also “was key to pulling this off.”
“He wanted to see jobs stay here and didn’t want to see it liquidated. He’s a big fan of NEPA and keeping the place robust, and he was instrumental to this coming through. He went way above the call of duty to get the job done. This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for him,” Reed said of Mericle.
Reed said he first met Mericle through the project, but they quickly discovered they had a close acquaintance in common — Bill Smulowitz, former owner of Lion Brewery — and they hit it off.
Reed said he’s excited about the project and expects the company will begin operations within the next couple of months.
“We’ve been hiring since April 1, after acquiring legal ownership. We’ve already hired back some key people who had worked at Joriki, and we’ll continue bringing on more people,” Reed said.
