North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Hans Kissle Company, a fresh foods manufacturer will build a $42.2 million manufacturing facility in Raleigh’s Apple Creek Corporate Center.
“North Carolina’s agricultural and manufacturing legacy continues to attract growing companies to counties like Gaston,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Our skilled workforce and great quality of life are key ingredients for our thriving manufacturing industry.”
Hans Kissle manufactures a wide variety of fresh prepared foods for supermarkets and foodservice customers throughout the United States, originally opened as an in-house commissary for a Massachusetts grocery chain in 1984,
The expansion to the Southeastern United States will increase production and distribution capacity and add approximately 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
“We are excited to be able to expand production to meet the growing demand for our premium products from consumers and retail partners in the Southeast,” said Scott Moffitt, CEO of Hans Kissle Company.
“Gastonia is a thriving community with a talented workforce, and we are proud to put down roots and call it home for our new facility. We look forward to bringing great jobs to the community and being a positive contributor in many ways.”
North Carolina boasts the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast and is the third largest state in the nation for food and beverage processing.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce led the state’s efforts to support Hans Kissle’s location to North Carolina.
Hans Kissle’s project will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $599 million.
“This is another great win for our region and state,” said N.C. Senator Kathy Harrington. “We welcome these additional jobs and investment for Gaston County and look forward to seeing what Hans Kissle will grow here.”
“We welcome Hans Kissle to North Carolina,” said N.C. Representative John Torbett. “This announcement is yet another example of how Gaston County has a winning recipe for successfully attracting companies across all industries.”
Key partners in the project are the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, the North Carolina Food Innovation Lab, the North Carolina Community College System, Gaston College, Gaston County, the Gaston County Economic Development Commission, the City of Gastonia, and Rutherford Electric.