June 26, 2007
The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s official economic development partnership, is pleased to announce Donald J. Pliner of Florida, Inc. has established an office and warehouse distribution operation in Miami-Dade County. Donald J. Pliner also has two retail locations in Miami-Dade.
Donald J. Pliner, which designs women’s and men’s shoes, handbags, leatherwear and accessories, focuses on “fashion that provides the ultimate in comfort and wearability,” according to the company. The company employs more than 150 workers nationwide providing services to close to 700 customers.
“From a business perspective, Miami-Dade offered our company everything we needed from a location – a world-class distribution infrastructure, access to our key markets around the world, and a highly skilled workforce,” said Roxanne Ehrenberg, CEO, Donald J. Pliner of Florida, Inc. “By consolidating our operations from other areas into this one centralized and efficient distribution facility we hope to more than double our sales in the coming years.”
"There is no better place than Florida to grow a business," said Governor Charlie Crist. "We are excited that Donald J. Pliner will expand operations in Miami-Dade County and wish the company success with this new endeavor."
The Beacon Council assisted Donald J. Pliner with state and local incentives, research and marketing analysis, business contacts and referrals, and employee relocation. The company first met with representatives from The Beacon Council during a business development trip to New York City.
“For more than 21 years, Miami-Dade County has successfully worked in partnership with The Beacon Council to enhance our community’s business climate and make our area an ideal location for organizations of all types and sizes, and our combined efforts have paid off,” said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz of District 12. “On behalf of Miami-Dade County, I congratulate Donald J. Pliner on its many years of success and pledge our support in assisting the company meet its short and long-term goals.”
In the next three years, Donald J. Pliner will hire up to 30 full-time employees and occupy more than 55,000 square feet of office and warehouse space in Northwest Miami-Dade County.
“Donald J. Pliner’s decision to relocate some of its operations to Miami-Dade underscores not only our strength as a distribution hub, but it also highlights the continued emergence of the fashion industry in the county,” said Frank R. Nero, President and CEO, The Beacon Council. “From the numerous successful apparel companies operating in the community to our world-renowned retail centers, Miami-Dade has become one of the fashion world’s most important international metropolitan centers.”