SANFORD, N.C. — Coty Inc., a leading global beauty company, is expanding its current operation in Sanford, creating 140 new jobs by the time full operations begin early next year.

The $12 million project, now underway, adds eight production lines to manufacture nail color lacquers. New jobs include both professional and hourly positions paying competitive wages.

Coty's Sanford Operation was awarded the project in a competitive process. Expansion was made possible, in part, by city and county incentives.

"This is good news for Coty and good news for Sanford," said Brian O'Neil, Coty vice president and general manager. "We've had success in the past, thanks to our exceptional employees and a supportive business climate, and we look forward to being a part of this community for many years to come."

O'Neil said the project includes upgrades to the current facility on Broadway Road and new machinery to produce the fingernail lacquers. Production is currently slated to begin in March.

Since its opening in 1971, Coty's Sanford Operation has manufactured high-end fragrances, lotions and iconic brands such as Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, Jennifer Lopez, adidas, Esprit and many others.

More than 800 full-time employees currently work at the site, with hundreds of temporary workers added each year to handle higher seasonal demands.

Coty is well-known locally for its community involvement. Sanford employees contributed more than $115,000 to local charities this year, and the company recently contributed land for the Carr Creek Neighborhood Park, one of several neighborhood parks developed by the City of Sanford.

"There's no doubt that Coty is an important part of our community and we appreciate them making such a large, new investment in Sanford," said Bob Heuts, economic development director for Lee County. "They could have taken this project anywhere else in the world, so this decision shows how competitive we are when we work together."

About Coty Inc.

Coty was created in Paris in 1904 by Francois Coty who is credited with founding the modern fragrance industry.

Today, Coty Inc. is a recognized leader in global beauty with annual net sales of nearly $4 billion. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, passion, innovation and creativity, Coty Inc. has developed an unrivaled portfolio of notable brands and delivers its innovative products to consumers in 90 markets worldwide.

The Coty Prestige brand portfolio is distributed in prestige and ultra-prestige stores and includes Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Chloé, Chopard, Davidoff, Jennifer Lopez, Jil Sander, JOOP!, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Cole, L.A.M.B. fragrance by Gwen Stefani, La Voce by Renee Fleming , Lancaster, Marc Jacobs, Nikos, Sarah Jessica Parker, Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood and Wolfgang Joop.

The Coty Beauty brand portfolio is more widely distributed and includes adidas, ASTOR, Baby Phat, Beyoncé Knowles, Celine Dion, Chupa Chups, David and Victoria Beckham, Esprit, Exclamation, Faith Hill, GUESS, Halle Berry, Jovan, Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue, La Cross, Lady Gaga, Miss Sporty, Nautica, N.Y.C. New York Color, Pierre Cardin1 , Playboy, Rimmel, Sally Hansen, Stetson, Tim McGraw, and Tonino Lamborghini.

Coty and Puig Fashion and Beauty S.A. have a strategic partnership for the distribution of the perfume lines of Nina Ricci, Carolina Herrera, Prada, Paco Rabanne, and Antonio Banderas in the United States and Canada.

For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com.

(1) Not available in North America

About Lee County Economic Development

The Lee County Economic Development Corp. is a nonprofit organization established to attract industry, enhance job opportunities and promote sound planning across Lee County. Funding is provided by the county, as well as the City of Sanford and Town of Broadway, the county's two municipalities.