Kraft Expands Louis Rich Plant in Newberry
November 13, 2007
KRAFT EXPANDS LOUIS RICH PLANT IN NEWBERRY
NEWBERRY, SC, (Nov. 13, 2007)
Kraft Foods Global, Inc. (NYSE:KFT) is expanding its operations in Newberry, SC, adding 75,000 square feet of manufacturing space, the company announced today.
Located at 3704 Louis Rich Drive, the plant today produces Oscar Mayer Sliced Luncheon Meats, Turkey Bacon, Deli-Shaved meats, Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips and Cuts, and ground turkey. Products from the plant are distributed throughout the United States. Some products are shipped to other Kraft plants for further processing.
The addition and reconfiguration of manufacturing space is intended to enable a more efficient layout for the plant, as well as accommodate additional manufacturing volume, including the Oscar Mayer Deli-Shaved meats and Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strip products, which the plant has recently begun to produce. The existing plant had 405,000 square feet of space prior to the new construction.
Carlisle Associates Inc. of Columbia, SC, was the principal designer of the building. Cannon Associates, Inc., of Newberry, SC, is the general contractor. The construction, which began in 2006, is being completed in multiple phases through 2008. This represents a multimillion dollar investment in the Newberry operations by Kraft.
Kraft currently has approximately 1,700 employees at its Newberry facility, up from 1,260 at the beginning of the year, and anticipates continuing to add to its staffing levels into 2008, ultimately increasing to approximately 2,300 employees. The added jobs will staff a second shift to support increased volume, as well as products that are new to the Newberry facility. Recruitment is being handled through the South Carolina Employment Security Commission (SCESC).
"We're excited about the expansion project," said Lyle Olson, Plant Manager. "It demonstrates the company's confidence in our team of employees and in the Newberry community as a place for our business to grow and thrive."
Kraft's Newberry facility has been recognized as a leader in workforce development, providing not only a comprehensive total compensation package including competitive wages and benefits, but also significant training opportunities for employees. In partnership with the Newberry Adult Education Center and the SCESC, the plant uses a Work Certification course in English and Spanish for new employees. The plant also offers employees access to a computer lab, online English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, and tuition assistance for employees. The plant is also known within Kraft as a leader in management development and an exporter of talented employees to other Kraft locations for advancement opportunities.
About Kraft Foods
Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, with annual revenues of more than $34 billion. For over 100 years, Kraft has offered consumers delicious and wholesome foods that fit the way they live. Kraft markets a broad portfolio of iconic brands in 155 countries, including seven brands with revenue of more than $1 billion, such as Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings; Oscar Mayer meats; Philadelphia cream cheese; Post cereals; Nabisco cookies and crackers; Jacobs coffees and Milka chocolates. Kraft became a fully independent company on March 30, 2007, and is listed in the Standard & Poor's 100 and 500 indexes. The company also is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the Ethibel Sustainability Index. For more information, visit the company's website at www.kraft.com.
