Melaleuca’s Idaho operations contributed $591 million to Idaho’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in total economic activity during 2011, according to a new economic impact study. Melaleuca also generated a total economic impact of 4,300 jobs, $169 million in labor income and nearly $32 million in state and local taxes last year.
Melaleuca has become a significant economic driver and contributor to Idaho’s economy, according to Idaho economist Will Jenson.
Jenson, who directed the study as an independent consultant, is an economist for the Idaho Department of Labor as well as an economics adjunct professor at Idaho State University and Brigham Young University-Idaho.
“Ever since we laid down our roots in Idaho 27 years ago, Melaleuca has always been committed to Idaho,” said Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot. “There is no better place and no better people anywhere in the world!”
With 1,739 employees living in Idaho, Melaleuca not only provides opportunities for employment at its 10 facilities in southeast Idaho, but it also creates thousands of jobs for workers in industries who benefit indirectly from Melaleuca operations. The company sustained more than 4,300 local jobs last year. According to the Idaho Department of Labor, there were 60,207 jobs in Bonneville, Jefferson and Madison Counties in 2011. That means that Melaleuca creates approximately 7.8 percent of all jobs in those three counties.
Melaleuca’s total labor income impact was $169 million in Idaho in 2011. Employee compensation was more than $85 million, providing a stable source of income for its employees. Industries indirectly impacted by Melaleuca operations also have sizable payrolls, accounting for $36 million in labor income. These two sources of labor income created an additional $48 million in income for workers in businesses where Melaleuca employees and its secondary workers typically spend their money. These wages allowed people to purchase all types of local goods and services as well as support civic groups, churches and philanthropic giving.
The company began in 1985 with eight employees and eight products. It has now grown into a worldwide organization with more than 3,200 employees, 800,000 customers and an independent sales force of nearly 300,000 people.
In explaining the overall relevance of these findings, Jensen said that Southeast Idaho is fortunate to have an economic engine that heavily contributes to the region’s economy. Given that Melaleuca continues to demonstrate strong growth, the company’s impact in Idaho will only expand.
About Melaleuca
Melaleuca, The Wellness Company, enhances lives by developing, manufacturing and marketing more than 350 natural health and wellness products. These health, home cleaning, pharmaceutical and personal care products are designed to be safer and more effective than brands purchased at traditional drug and grocery stores.
