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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Tyson Mexican Original Invests $5.3 Million To Expand Its Portland, Indiana, Manufacturing Facility

08/20/2013
A supplier of tortillas, tacos, chips and flatbreads for quick service Mexican restaurant chains, Tyson Mexican Original, Inc., plans invest $5.3 million to expand its Portland, Indiana, production center.

The company, which is a subsidiary of Springdale, Arkansas based Tyson Foods, Inc., will expand and equip its current facility to 117,800 square feet across more than 31 acres in Portland. The facility, which is anticipated to be operational by mid-September, will include a new corn cook system, allowing the company to grow its customer base across the Midwest. As part of the expansion, the company will expand production capacity in Portland from 2.7 million pounds to 3 million pounds of finished goods per week.

"This is the second major expansion for Mexican Original this year-we also purchased Don Julio Foods, with its primary line of products designed for the retail segment," said Wayne Beach, vice president of Mexican Original sales and marketing. "Don Julio brand products are now available in select Midwest markets with those products being manufactured at the Portland facility. This expansion project will enable Mexican Original to support additional demand in core markets." Mexican Original, which currently has more than 440 employees in Indiana, will begin hiring supervisors, operators and general production associates.

"By operating in Indiana, leaders at Mexican Original have learned firsthand what we tell companies exploring their options in Indiana daily," said Eric Doden, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "Our pro-growth, low-tax business environment allows companies to spend less time worrying about accessing a skilled workforce, moving products or conforming to demanding government regulations and more time profiting and succeeding."

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Tyson Mexican Original, Inc. up to $50,000 in conditional tax credits 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 Portland will consider additional incentives at the request of the Jay County Development Corporation.

"The many years that Mexican Original has been in Portland they've been a great partner to the city," said Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman. "They have been involved in many community projects and we look forward to their continued investment through new employees and equipment in the city of Portland."

Mexican Original is the second largest manufacturer of flour and corn tortillas and chips in the country. The Portland plant was recognized for outstanding safety achievement awards in 2010, 2011 and 2012 from Tyson's Environmental Health and Safety Department. The company operates additional facilities in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Sanford, North Carolina, with its Don Julio Foods plant located in Clearfield, Utah.

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