Michael Evans, Greencore spokesperson, said the processor picked the 15-acre Rhode Island site to take advantage of rising demand for ready-to-eat-foods.
“Food-to-go is a growth market,” he said. “Strategically we want to continue to build a strong, growing, profitable food-to-go business in the US.”
Patrick Coveney, Greencore CEO, said the facility also allows the company room for future growth.
“This investment will significantly enhance our capability and capacity to serve the sandwich market in the northeastern region of the US,” he said. “It also will enable us to drive further growth with current customers.”
Room to grow
The planned facility will cover approximately 107,000 square feet and employ about 370 people. Further, the roomy site will allow the structure to be expanded by an additional 40,000 square feet.
Further, the company plans to consolidate manufacturing in the region by closing two plants in Massachusetts gradually from April until September 2015. Employees at those facilities reportedly will be offered jobs at the Rhode Island facility, scheduled to open in the fall of 2015.
Financial backing
Economic incentives played a part in Greencore’s decision to consolidate and expand in Rhode Island. The firm received discounts for signing a 50-year lease, okayed by the Quonset Development Corporation board of directors.
“This is a good day for Rhode Island and another indication of how investing in our state assets can help create more jobs and propel our economy in the right direction,” Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee said.
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