Skjodt-Barrett Foods, a Canadian specialty food manufacturer, plans to expand its U.S. production facility and headquarters, creating up to 97 new jobs by 2017 in Lebanon, Indiana.

The firm, which makes baby food, children’s fruit snacks, smoothies, sauces and marinades as well as caramel and fruit fillings, will invest $43.9 million to install new equipment and technologies at its 55-acre campus in the Lebanon Industrial Park. The expansion will house new high speed, high efficiency operating lines, patent-pending technologies, as well as advanced aseptic manufacturing processes unique to North America.

“Indiana has a very favorable business climate, which includes support for continued employee education and training,” said Mike Brannan, General Manager of Skjodt-Barrett’s U.S. operations. “The ability to rely on support from the state of Indiana contributes to Skjodt-Barrett’s ability to invest in cutting-edge technologies and expansion opportunities. All of this coupled with the state’s convenient location within one day’s drive of 80 percent of the U.S. population made the choice to invest in Indiana easy.”

As an incentive, Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Skjodt-Barrett Contract Packaging LLC up to $550,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $102,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. In addition, the city of Lebanon will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Boone County Economic Development Corporation.

Having opened in November 2011, the Lebanon facility is Skjodt-Barrett’s only location outside of Canada. The company employs more than 500 associates, including 325 Hoosiers, in manufacturing sites in both Canada and the United States. Skjodt-Barrett has already begun hiring additional engineering, administration, machine operators, quality control professionals, skilled equipment mechanics and production line employees in Lebanon.

Skjodt-Barrett’s U.S. headquarters manufactures baby food and fruit purees in spouted pouches, distributing its products across North America. After a tornado hit the Lebanon facility in November 2013 and caused more than $18,000,000 in damages, Skjodt-Barrett’s plant was operational again in only 21 days. Skjodt-Barrett largely attributes the rapid recovery to its talented and hardworking Hoosier workforce.

“Skjodt-Barrett Foods has become an essential part of the fabric of Lebanon. Skjodt-Barrett provides good jobs, and gives back to the community,” said Lebanon Mayor Huck Lewis. “The fact that the company has chosen Lebanon as the place to expand its operation, bringing new technology to North America with it, is outstanding. Skjodt-Barrett’s decision to expand here marks a great day for the future of Lebanon.”