Sarasota firm plants growth seeds in Hardee County

SARASOTA — Florikan, a 40-employee fertilizer firm that's been based in Sarasota since it was founded in 1981, plans to move its manufacturing, distribution and warehouse facility to Hardee County next year.

The firm's corporate offices will remain in Sarasota County, according to a release, but will be moving to another location, in Lakewood Ranch. The company sold its previous Sarasota County facility for $1.28 million last month.

The manufacturing, distribution and warehouse facility will be a new construction building in Wauchula, the firm says, and will be ready in summer 2015. The company, according to a spokesman, plans to eventually add at least 30 jobs in Hardee County. “Hardee County and its economic development interests are pleased and excited to participate in the creation and expansion of a new facility for Florikan in Hardee County,” Hardee County Economic Development Director Bill Lambert says in a release. “We eagerly anticipate the job creation opportunities for our residents and look forward to a long-standing relationship with the company.”

Florikan specializes in polymer-coated fertilizer technologies for the agriculture and horticulture industries. The firm is one of the only manufacturers of controlled release fertilizer in Florida. “This expansion will enhance our production and services, making sure that product needs are fulfilled in a timely and efficient manner,” Florikan President Eric Rosenthal says in the release.