"We faced stiff competition in our efforts to secure this major investment for the people of Long Island, but our hard work and business-friendly policies have clearly paid off," Governor George Pataki said yesterday, in revealing the deal. "Attracted by our tax cuts and New York's dramatically improved business climate, more and more companies like NBTY are making the smart decision to invest, expand and create new jobs right here in the Empire State.

The company, which operates the popular Vitamin World and Nutrition Warehouse stores, will build its new plant in Bayport, located within the Town of Islip. The new distribution facility will be constructed adjacent to NBTY's $50 million soft gel cap manufacturing plant, which was built in 1998. NBTY is eligible to apply for a $500,000 capital grant from Empire State Development Corp, the state's real estate agency.

Headquartered on Long Island in Bohemia, NBTY is a manufacturer, wholesaler and marketer of a broad line of nutritional supplements in the US, UK and worldwide. The company has 500 Vitamin World and Nutrition Warehouse stores in this country, as well as 423 Holland & Barrett stores in the UK and more than six million active customers in its Puritan.com e-commerce and catalog business.