LV lands vitamin plant

A distributor of food supplements in Southern Nevada is building a manufacturing plant and is moving its national headquarters here from California.

National Vitamin Co. is expected to start with 35 full- and 15 part-time employees when the plant becomes operational in December. Within two years, staffing will increase to about 75 to 100.

Less than 10 managers are transferring from California and the majority of employees will be hired in Southern Nevada, a company spokesman said.

National Vitamin, which produces the Nature's Blend brand of vitamins, minerals, herbs, creams and lotions, will receive a 5 percent sales and use tax abatement through a program offered by the Nevada Commission on Economic Development.

Based on its capital investment in the state, the company will realize tax savings of $339,000. A deferral will allow the company to pay the remaining tax, $136,000, over time, interest-free.

The company was eligible because it is a primary employer that offers workers base salaries greater than the state average. Commissioners approved the tax benefit Thursday.

Roger Mann, vice president of National Vitamin, presently based in Porterville, Calif., said his company would not directly compete with any Nevada company. Existing Nevada distributors have powdered supplements, exclusively herbal products, bulk manufacturing and wholesale sales -- products and services National Vitamin does not offer.

Most of National Vitamin's local sales occur at outlets at Nellis Air Force Base, since the company has a distribution agreement for the West's military bases. The largest portion of the company's sales, 20 percent, is made to military outlets, according to National Vitamin's 1994 statistics, the most recent available to state officials.

By region, 84 percent of the company's sales occur in the West and Southwest, the company said.

Mann said the company plans a $3.2 million capital investment program next year and is purchasing equipment to manufacture soft vitamin gelatin caplets. When completed, the company will have an estimated $6.8 million invested in the state and will be one of three sites in the nation capable of manufacturing the soft gelcaps.

The company will move its quality control, cosmetic distribution system and corporate headquarters from its 22-acre Porterville complex, located in a rural community between Bakersfield and Fresno, Calif. The company will keep open the 105,000-square-foot manufacturing facility it has operated in Porterville since 1985.

The company has more than 450 products available and will operate in Las Vegas from Warm Springs Crossing, a 27-acre master-planned business park at Interstate 15 and Warm Springs Road.

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