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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Keurig Dr Pepper Plans Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, Production Plant

09/17/2019
Keurig Dr Pepper will open a new production facility at the shuttered Kraft-Heinz site in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. The company plans to create 378 full-time jobs.

KDP, formed with the 2018 merger of Keurig Green Mountain and Dr Pepper Snapple Group, is a North American beverage manufacturer with dual headquarters in Burlington, Massachusetts and Plano, Texas.

The company’s new state-of-the-art facility will provide additional capacity for existing and new brands and will help optimize logistics in the Northeast by providing large-scale warehouse operations. The 1,541,280 square-foot manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution facility will be located in Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County. The project includes leasehold improvements, building infrastructure costs, acquisition of equipment, computer equipment and software, furniture, and training.

The company has pledged to create at least 378 new, full-time jobs over the next three years, and will invest at least $219.7 million into the project. KDP received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development for a $1.5 million Pennsylvania First grant, $170,100 in WEDnetPA funding for worker training, and $1.134 million in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs. The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team.

“KDP is focused on building an integrated, best-in-class manufacturing network that supports the production of all beverages in all categories,” said Fernando Cortes, KDP Chief Supply Chain Officer. “Our new facility in Allentown and additional supply chain investments in existing facilities support our vision for providing a beverage for every consumer. We are excited to become part of the Allentown community as we continue to invest in new and exciting opportunities for growth.”

“We welcome Keurig Dr Pepper to the large cluster of national food, beverage, and pet food producers that call the Lehigh Valley home,” said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. “With the growing demand in the Lehigh Valley market, we had little doubt that the Kraft property would be quickly reused after its closure due to the Heinz merger. We are grateful for the support of the state, the township, and the Lehigh County Authority to help make the deal possible.”

“My administration has been committed to finding the right company to utilize this site, and we are proud that Keurig Dr Pepper has agreed to expand its operations and create new jobs in the commonwealth,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “Today’s announcement is great news for the Lehigh Valley region.”

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