Solihull, England-based Aga Foodservice Group, a producer of premium range cookers and refrigerators for the domestic, commercial and bakery markets, announced preliminary plans to build a $6 million production facility in the Bowling Street Industrial Park in SW Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Several million will also be invested in new machinery and equipment.
The facility, where they will design, develop and produce commercial microwave ovens, will be operated under the Aga Foodservice Inc. USA division, which is based in Cherry Hill, N.J.
The creation of Aga Commercial Products is expected to create 112 new jobs. Aga Foodservice Group announced the acquisition of Amana Commercial Microwaves from Whirlpool Corp. on September 7, 2006. Whirlpool Corp. had acquired Amana Commercial Microwaves as part of its March, 2006 purchase of Maytag Corp.
“A number of factors, including a skilled and committed workforce, a supportive community and the relationship we have established with Priority One all contributed to our decision to locate in Cedar Rapids,” said Iain Whyte, president of Aga Foodservice Inc. "Our goal is to build a world class manufacturing business operating in the commercial accelerated cooking sector. The Amana Commercial acquisition adds to an already powerful foodservice product portfolio and will further strengthen our position in the global foodservice sector."
Several other locations, including sites in the Midwest, were evaluated during the site selection process.
The project is contingent upon the approval of state and local financial assistance, which includes Urban Revitalization Property Tax Exemption through the City of Cedar Rapids and funding from the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Aga will also seek job training assistance through the Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program, administered locally by Kirkwood Community College.
Aga Foodservice Group, a UK publicly traded company, is a global producer of premium range cookers, ovens and refrigerators for the residential, foodservice and bakery markets.
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