Western Baking Corporation plans to create from 300 to 500 jobs at its recently opened $15.2 million Alamogordo, New Mexico, cookie and cracker manufacturing plant over the next three to five years.

The Mexican-based firm, which acquired the assets of the former Marietta Biscuit plant at 1301 La Velle Road, began production at its new 28 acre complex that includes 225,000 square feet of production, warehousing, research and development, and office space.

"New Mexico has many unique assets to offer such as its transportation links to I-40 and I-10, and on this location in particular, a rail spur that will improve our competitiveness by lowering the cost of raw ingredients when re-activated," said Bruce Olsen, president of Western Baking Company. "We have enjoyed working with the New Mexico Economic Development Department and Otero County Economic Development Council in our efforts to open Western Baking at the old Presto plant building."

The company invested more than $15.2 million and anticipates future investments between $13.8 million to $15 million, New Mexico Economic Development said. The company has already seen a large amount of interest expressed in their product and has set their first year volume forecast at $18.9 million.

"This is an exciting day for New Mexico as we announce the creation of more than 300 well-paying jobs in Otero County," said Governor Susana Martinez. "Our work to make New Mexico a better place to do business has paid off once again as an established company invests millions of dollars into building a state-of-the-art facility that will put New Mexicans to work. We have been working hard to make New Mexico a great place for manufacturers and we hope to welcome more companies like Western Baking to the state."

Western Baking Corporation has been working with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions to fill the positions with New Mexican workers. As an incentive, the company was awarded $95,202 in Economic Development Department's Job Training Incentives Program funds to assist in the training some of its employees.

Western Bakery Company is owned by four of the Perez Morett brothers of Guadalajara, Mexico. The brothers are part of a family that together own at least 12 corporations in Mexico in the manufacturing, agricultural, and distribution businesses, with annual revenues in the range of $1 billion.