NORTH HOUSTON – A Job Fair that drew almost 4000 applicants, and a celebrity filled Ribbon Cutting marked the Grand Opening of a new production facility and corporate offices in Houston for Farouk Systems, a company that makes hair care products, such as CHI irons and BIOSILK hair care products.
The company was founded in 1986 by Farouk Shami, and has led the hair care industry with its technological innovations. Recently, Farouk has made a commitment to move his manufacturing and labs from overseas locations to Houston. He challenges other companies to follow his lead and help stimulate the U.S. economy.
On hand as celebrity ribbon cutters at the ceremonies were Governor Rick Perry, Houston Mayor Bill White, North Houston Greenspoint Chamber president Reggie Gray, and others. Farouk’s Houston facility is over 500,000 sq. ft. and will eventually employ over 1000 people. If his marketing approach is successful, Farouk said that many thousands more could be hired for his Texas production facility.
In his remarks at the opening, Governor Perry credited Texas’ predictable regulatory climate, low taxes and skilled workforce with attracting jobs and companies from around the world. The governor spoke at the press conference at the factory site in North Houston, on E. Richey Road, where Farouk Systems announced the relocation of its manufacturing facility from South Korea and China to Houston, creating more than 1200 jobs and generating $26 million in capital investment, according to Perry.
Part of the ceremonies included a stage show with entertainers, and a Texas BBQ. A job fair was held in conjunction with the grand opening.
This took place at Greenspoint Mall, where hundreds lined up outside and inside the mall, to fill out preliminary applications, and to be called back for a detailed interview later. Most of the first jobs are expected to be assembly line workers, and managers. Starting wages were said by the company to be about $10 per hour.
By the end of the day, the company announced that it had almost 4000 applications, for openings in the factory of about 1000 jobs. More hiring is expected in the future, they said. Applicants were also treated to a bus ride to the factory, and free hair styling with CHI and Bio-Silk hair care products.