Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced that Xylem Inc. (NYSE: XYL), a global water technology company that conducts business in 150 different countries, will move its headquarters from White Plains to a larger facility in Rye Brook – keeping more than 100 jobs in Westchester.
"We are thrilled that Xylem will be expanding its world headquarters in Westchester County," Astorino said. "These are good jobs, hi-tech and eco-focused jobs, and we're proud to have partnered with Xylem to keep these jobs here. The county continues to work hard to provide an environment where companies like Xylem and others can grow for the future."
The company has signed a 10-year lease to rent 67,145 square-feet at Reckson Executive Park, located at 1 International Drive, Rye Brook. Renovation plans call for meeting LEED certification standards in keeping with the company's commitment to environmentally sustainable business practices.
To help keep the company in Westchester, the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) approved $562,000 in sales tax exemptions for the new space. Construction will begin in the second quarter of 2013, with the move expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2013, marking the company's second anniversary as a stand-alone company.
"We're extremely pleased to be staying in the Westchester community with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo, County Executive Robert Astorino and the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency," said Xylem President and CEO Gretchen McClain. "Our new, expanded space will be a modern, world-class headquarters designed to encourage collaboration and training, as well as to house an innovation center. We expect the building to be a source of pride for our employees who work here, as well as for many Xylem employees from all over the world who come here for training and meetings. We look forward to spending at least the next decade in Westchester County as we continue to grow our global business and help solve the world's water challenges."
Xylem, which has approximately 12,700 employees worldwide and generated $3.8 billion in revenues for 2012, is currently headquartered in a 50,000 square-foot facility at 1133 Westchester Avenue, White Plains.
The company was created after ITT Corporation spun off its water business in October 2011. As a result, federal regulations required Xylem's headquarters to be separate from ITT's.