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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Del Monte Fresh Produce Builds Logistics Hub In New Castle, Delaware

04/14/2017
Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. is expected to expand its extensive United States’ logistics network with the acquisition of the former AstroPower building located at 300 Executive Drive in Pencader Industrial Park in New Castle, Delaware.

The company expects to invest approximately $22 million in its new facility and expansion into the Delaware community. A closing on the site, owned by the Christina School District, is set for May 20.

“We’re excited to commence our operation in the state of Delaware and tap into the workforce of the most populous county in the state with close proximity to the University of Delaware,” said Paul Rice, Senior Vice President, N.A. Operations. “Delaware is not only an ideal location for our Company to further develop our robust Northeastern operations, but will also give us the ability to provide jobs and growth to the surrounding community.”

The new 178,000 sq. ft. distribution center in Pencader Industrial Park will add a key distribution point in the Company’s growing logistics network in North America and especially in the Northeast.

The state-of-the-art facility will have an extensive infrastructure for the cutting and production of fresh fruit, vegetables and other food products. When completed the distribution center will, among other things, have a fresh cut fruit, protein salad, and commissary production area, banana and avocado ripening rooms, refrigerated and dry warehouse space, loading docks, and office space.

The Council on Development Finance approved the recommendation for a $259,000 performance grant to create approximately 30 jobs for the site of Del Monte Fresh Produce’s newest and most advanced distribution center, and a 3% match up to $654,000 for qualified capital expenditures.

“We’re glad that Del Monte Fresh Produce chose Delaware as the strategic location to expand its operations,” Governor John Carney said. “We’re very much looking forward to seeing the former site of AstroPower repurposed and come alive again, bringing with it new jobs to our state.”

"The Christina School District is very pleased that DelMonte Fresh Produce Company will be utilizing the Building at 300 Executive Drive in the Pencader Corporate Center as a manufacturing facility," said Robert Silber, Christina School District CFO. "This sale will mean a return of this property to the tax rolls, and additional jobs for our community, both of which are positive aspects of Del Monte Fresh Produce’s purchase of the building."

“We want to express our appreciation to all the partners who came together on this project to bring Del Monte Fresh Produce to Delaware,” said Delaware Economic Development Office Director Bernice Whaley. “Thanks to the collaborative effort a building which has been on the market for nearly a decade will be revitalized and create new manufacturing jobs in our state with the potential to add more.”

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