Gerber to move its headquarters from New Jersey to Arlington

Gerber Products Co., a subsidiary of Nestlé S.A., will relocate its U.S. headquarters from New Jersey to Arlington.

Gerber, known for its baby food, will invest $5 million in moving to the new U.S. corporate headquarters operation of its sister company, Nestlé USA.

The move will create 150 jobs in Arlington.

“Closer proximity to Nestlé USA’s new headquarters in Arlington will provide efficiencies that will be reinvested in our people, products, and production to fuel growth,” Bill Partyka, president and CEO of Gerber, said in a statement. “Northern Virginia also offers a great quality of life for our employees and provides access to strong talent for our current and future needs.”

Nestlé USA now occupies more than 250,000 square feet at 1812 North Moore St. in Arlington.

“One year after Nestlé announced its U.S. corporate headquarters relocation to Arlington County, this global giant is bringing another top household brand to Virginia,” Gov. Ralph Northam said in a statement. “The company’s decision to reinvest and grow in the commonwealth is a powerful testament to the advantages of our strategic location, infrastructure, and top-rated talent, and reaffirms that Virginia is a prime location for headquarters operations.”

Gerber was founded in 1928 in Fremont, Mich., and joined Switzerland-based Nestlé, the world’s largest food company in 2007.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Arlington County Economic Development to secure the project. Northam approved a $862,500 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund.

The company is also eligible to receive a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.