Häns Kissle Company, a fresh foods manufacturer, will create 219 new jobs in Gaston County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $42.2 million to build a food manufacturing facility in Apple Creek Corporate Center.
“We welcome Häns Kissle to our community,” Chad Brown, Gaston County Board of Commissioners chairman, said. “Gaston County continues to land great companies at our new business park, Apple Creek Corporate Center. This investment underscores the strength of our manufacturing economy and ability to deliver the business climate manufacturers need. I commend all the local, regional, and state partners for their diligent work to support this economic development project.”
Häns Kissle manufactures a wide variety of high quality fresh prepared foods for supermarkets and foodservice customers throughout the United States. Since opening as an in-house commissary for a premium Massachusetts grocery chain in 1984, the company now serves a menu of 700 items, including premium entrees, delicatessen salads, side dishes, quiches and other great tasting, fresh ready-to-eat foods, to a broad range of retail customers.
“It’s no secret that North Carolina is the special ingredient for growing food companies,” N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders said. “With the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast and the third largest state in the nation for food and beverage processing, Häns Kissle’s decision is a strong signal to other food companies that North Carolina is a great place to do business.”
Häns Kissle’s expansion to the Southeastern United States will increase production and distribution capacity for its food items 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,” Scott Moffitt, CEO of Häns Kissle Company said. “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.”
