Heinz will manufacture frozen food products at the new facility to meet increased customer demands. The new facility will also support the company’s Southeast and Northeast distribution centers.

“Our frozen meals business is growing rapidly and the new facility is a sign of our commitment to supporting and sustaining this growth,” said Dave Moran, president and CEO of Heinz North America. “The new facility will allow us to increase production of our frozen entrees to meet the growing consumer demand for high-quality frozen meals.”

Heinz will locate its manufacturing operations on a 49-acre site in the Pee Dee Commerce City Park in Florence, with construction of the facility scheduled for completion in mid-2009.

The company will utilize readySC, the state’s work force training program, which has been nationally recognized for its ability to offer customized training for businesses.

“Heinz is one of the world’s leading marketers of branded foods to retail and foodservice outlets,” said Joe Taylor, secretary of the South Carolina Department of Commerce. “The company’s decision to locate in our state further demonstrates that South Carolina’s business-friendly climate, access to markets and work force are working favorably to attract more marquee names to our state. Thanks to the team efforts of local and state officials, the entire [region] will benefit from this investment and the state will gain a valued new member of the business community.”

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