Heinz to expand frozen food processing facility in Ohio

American ketchup maker H.J. Heinz has announced plans to expand its frozen food processing facility in Massillon, Ohio, with an investment of $28m.

The project is expected to create about 250 jobs over a three-year period, beginning next year.

Heinz corporate and government affairs senior vice president Michael Mullen said that Massillon will be a flagship of the company’s North American business and will become a ‘Frozen Food Center of Excellence’.

"Heinz is committed to Ohio and excited for the growth that will come to Massillon as part of this significant investment.

"We look forward to continued collaboration with Gov. Kasich and the State of Ohio as we further our leadership in the frozen food category of our business."

The company stated that the Massillon plant was chosen for expansion as it complies with its requirements to consolidate its frozen food operations into a single North American Center of Excellence.

In support of the project, Massillon is set to grant a nine-year job creation tax credit as well as state financial incentives to the Pittsburgh-headquartered company.

Last week, Heinz announced plans to shut three of its North American processing facilities in the next six to eight months, putting 1,350 jobs at risk, as part of its efforts to ensure effective and efficient operations.

It said that production at the closure-affected plants will be moved to its Ohio, Iowa, California and Canada sites.

The move comes as the new owners of Heinz are restructuring the company’s operations.

Earlier this year, an investment consortium comprised of Berkshire Hathaway and private equity firm 3G Capital acquired Heinz in a $28bn deal.

H.J. Heinz is engaged in the production and marketing of foods, specialising in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition.

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Image: The expansion allows Heinz to consolidate its frozen food operations into a single North American Center of Excellence. Photo courtesy of H.J. Heinz Company.