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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Leclerc Foods Locates U.S. Headquarters-Second Production Center In Kingsport, Tennessee

12/07/2016
Leclerc Foods will establish its U.S. headquarters and expand production operations in Kingsport, Tennessee.

The company is investing approximately $49 million to establish a second facility in Kingsport and create 105 new jobs. The facility will include a new manufacturing line for granola bars, warehousing and distribution space as well as Leclerc Foods’ headquarters operations.

“We have chosen to operate a second plant in Kingsport because this acquisition fits our business vision and corporate development strategy. This plant will manufacture certified gluten-free products exclusively. It will allow us to position ourselves near our U.S. clients and meet their specifics needs,” said Jean-Sébastien Leclerc, Vice President of co-manufacturing and manufacturing infrastructure at Leclerc Foods.

As part of the newest expansion, Leclerc Foods plans to renovate and upgrade an existing building. The work to rehab the facility will begin by the end of 2016. Leclerc Foods anticipates the renovations will be completed in by mid-2017. Leclerc Foods currently employs around 100 Tennesseans in its existing Kingsport plant, which produces crackers and cookies. Leclerc Foods will continue operations at its first Kingsport facility, which opened in 2008 and has undergone two prior expansions.

“Leclerc Foods’ decision to bring its U.S. headquarters to Kingsport is a prime example of our economic development efforts hitting on all cylinders,” Governor Bill Haslam said.  “Since first establishing a new manufacturing plant in Kingsport eight years ago, Leclerc Foods has expanded considerably.”

“ Now, Leclerc Foods is doubling its Kingsport workforce and adding high quality office jobs that will have an even bigger impact on Sullivan County. I’d like to thank Leclerc Foods for creating more valuable jobs in Kingsport and bringing us closer toward our goal of making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs,” he added.

“Companies in the food and beverage industry have invested more than $2 billion in Tennessee during the past six years, creating more than 6,500 jobs,” Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd said. “Leclerc Foods has been an important part of this thriving sector, growing to employ around 100 Tennesseans. More and more international companies like Leclerc Foods want to do business in Tennessee because our skilled workforce and favorable business environment offer them tremendous growth opportunities. I’m excited for Leclerc Foods’ expansion in Sullivan County, which will produce considerable benefits for Kingsport residents and their families.”

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