DannonFeb. 7, 2017 -- County Executive Robert P. Astorino offered congratulations and thanks to Danone North America, which today announced it will remain in Westchester County and move its headquarter offices and accessory food laboratory to downtown White Plains. The new location at 100 Bloomingdale Road will become home to more than 400 Danoners beginning early next year during a move to a re-imagined space that previously served as a retail location.

“Danone North America is a terrific company,” said Astorino. “Westchester is proud to be a past partner and is excited to be part of its future success. Many thanks to Danone for its continuing investment in Westchester.”

Danone’s North American companies, which include well-known brands such as Dannon and Evian, said in a press release that it recognizes that today’s talent prefers to be in an open and flexible working environment that inspires creativity and inclusiveness. Key factors in the relocation decision were the development of a modern, flexible workplace that will fully leverage technology, enhance collaboration, and align with the company’s unique culture and global brand, along with the location in a vibrant community accessible via mass transit.

“We prioritized efficient and flexible design solutions for the changing style of our workplace that we envision for our future,” said Dessislava Miteva, the company’s chief people officer and VP of human resources. “Increasingly we are working in open and flexible spaces that can adapt to the continually evolving needs of our company and our people. We want as much open space as possible to maintain the sense of community we currently have, to encourage informal and ad-hoc communication, and to ensure as much freedom and autonomy as possible in an energetic and exciting workplace. Additionally, being within walking distance to restaurants, shopping and mass transit are important for our company.”

Economic viability of the needed construction and ongoing operating and tax considerations were also factors in the site selection, the company said. Danone North America has been working closely with the State of New York, Westchester County and the City of White Plains to secure the assistance needed to help support Danone North America’s growth agenda. Pivotal to Danone North America’s plans were the approval of a zoning amendment by the City of White Plains to allow the Company to move its accessory food laboratory; as well as the financial assistance awarded by the County of Westchester Industrial Development Agency and by the State of New York, Empire State Development through its Excelsior Jobs Program and Capital Grant programs. This support will allow the company to expand its operations, attract new talent, update its office design, and retain its Research & Development team’s innovative accessory food laboratory.

“We are deeply grateful for the support and patience of the City, County and State, which have helped to keep our company in the area and allow us to significantly update and upgrade the setting in which we work, which will allow us to continue to be a significant contributor to community stability and growth here in White Plains,” said Miteva.