Messer Americas Takes Top Prize at Bridgewater Commons’ First Canstruction®

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (September 25, 2026) — Bridgewater Commons’ shoppers have visited, admired and voted, and named Messer’s “Launching Hope,” a 10-feet-tall by 8-feet-wide rocket ship composed created entirely from cans donated by Goya Foods, as their favorite artwork at the shopping center’s first-ever Canstruction® competition, which was presented by Messer.

A one-of-a-kind trophy, 3D printed by the Bound Brook High School robotics team, was presented to Messer at a special ceremony at the conclusion of the event on September 22.

“Over 1,000 guests cast their votes from September 15, when we unveiled these amazing sculptures in our center court, until early September 22, and overwhelmingly chose our presenter Messer,” said Tom Kovacic, Marketing and Business Development Director at Bridgewater Commons. “We were honored to work with Messer and Goya Foods, and to welcome three other spectacular artworks in the first of what will be an annual tradition, that combines creativity and community service.”

Launching Hope was a tribute to the fact that great technologies — and great missions — begin with the right fuel. In addition, Somerville-based SSP Architects created a replica of one of New Jersey’s most iconic architectural landmarks, the Navesink Twin Lights. Branchburg-based Paramount Facility Management Solutions’ “Meals in Flight” paid tribute to how community can lift lives with a 7-foot-tall hot air balloon. Los Piratas (The Pirates), Seton Hall University’s Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute’s concept, celebrated Hispanic heritage, family and the shared tradition of gathering around meals with “Abuela’s (Grandma’s) Pantry,” a colorful pathway leading to a communal table. 

With the event concluded, the sculptures are being disassembled, and the 10,000 canned goods will be donated to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County, which since 1982 has responded to the needs of the food insecure of the county. The network now has nine pantries around the county, as well as programs that include stuffed backpacks to ensure children have enough to eat on weekends and school holidays. Ten thousand cans can provide feed approximately 500 families for a month, the Food Bank noted.

Located along Interstate 287 at the intersections of Route 22 and Route 202/206, the 1.1 million-square-foot Bridgewater Commons is Somerset County’s largest shopping, dining and entertainment destination.

About Pacific Retail Capital Partners
Pacific Retail Capital Partners (PRCP) is one of the nation’s premier retail operating groups of large open- air and enclosed shopping centers, with more than $3.0 billion in assets under management across the United States. Based in Southern California, the company’s portfolio totals 24 properties encompassing over 20 million square feet. With a highly experienced team that has a proven track record of generating value its stakeholders, PRCP is dedicated to evolving real estate for the next generation by working with the communities it serves to design master plans that transform its assets into high-performing mixed-use destinations. The vertically-integrated company provides end-to-end sourcing, assessment, underwriting, valuing, developing, marketing, design and asset management services. To learn more visit pacificretail.com or follow on social media at: Facebook: @PacificRetailCapitalPartners and Instagram: @PacificRetail. 

About Messer

Messer is the largest privately held industrial gas business in the world and a leading industrial and medical gas company in North America, South America, Asia and Europe. Messer offers more than 125 years of expertise in industrial, medical, specialty and electronics gases. The company delivers quality gases, related services and technology via an extensive production and distribution network. Health and safety, sustainability practices and environmental protection are core Messer values that are embedded in the company’s daily operations. 

Messer Americas sales account approximately for 52% of Messer worldwide sales of over $5 billion USD. For more information, visit: www.messeramericas.com

About Goya Foods

Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company and a leader in Latin American food and condiments. In 2026, Goya proudly celebrates its 90th anniversary, marking nine decades of delivering authentic flavors and quality to consumers nationwide. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central, and South America. Rooted in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world, Goya products combine authentic ingredients, robust seasonings, and convenient preparation to suit every taste and every table. For more information, please visit Goya.com and GoyaGives.com