ConAgra to upgrade Indiana popcorn plant

US-based packaged foods company ConAgra plans to invest $15.6m in the upgrade of its Orville Redenbacher’s microwave popcorn plant in Rensselaer, Indiana.

The expansion includes the addition of four microwave popcorn packaging lines, remodelling of the quality assurance laboratory, and redesigning of the corn, slurry and salt systems. ConAgra, which currently has a workforce of more than 200 in Indiana, expects to add another 24 jobs by 2014 with the latest expansion plans and has already initiated the process of hiring new production line associates.

Rensselaer plant manager Ken Dobin said that ConAgra Foods and the Rensselaer facility are excited to continue the enduring partnership between Orville Redenbacher popcorn and the state of Indiana. "Rensselaer’s centralised location and quality workforce, along with the state’s current business climate and economic development record, provide a fantastic opportunity for ConAgra Foods, the state of Indiana and the Rensselaer community," Dobin said.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has provided ConAgra Foods with up to $175,000 in conditional tax credits based on the job creation plans and the city of Rensselaer has also offered the company additional property tax abatement.

This project comes shortly after IEDC’s announcement last year that it has secured job commitments from 219 companies from across the US and around the world. Earlier this month, ConAgra Foods agreed to acquire Del Monte Canada, a provider of packaged fruits, fruit snacks and vegetables, from an affiliate of private investment firm Sun Capital Partners for an undisclosed sum.

ConAgra Foods, based in Nebraska, manufactures products across categories such as meals, entrees, condiments, sides, snacks, and desserts, and its major brands include Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Hebrew National, Hunt’s, Marie Callender’s and Orville Redenbacher’s, among others.

 

Caption: The expansion project includes adding four microwave popcorn packaging lines; remodelling the quality assurance laboratory and redesigning the corn, slurry and salt systems. Credit: ConAgra Foods.