BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Schwan’s Company, a leading U.S.-based food company and subsidiary of South Korea-based CJ Foods, announced the decision to further invest in South Dakota with the purchase of a 142-acre site in Foundation Park for an area of 700,000 square meters. -Feet Asian style food production facility.
The company initially announced plans in 2021 for the new plant in Sioux Falls, which is projected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars and add more than 600 new employees. Now, in addition, the company announces plans to open a regional office in downtown Sioux Falls to support its continued expansion and operations at the new manufacturing facility. Initial plans for the regional office will add 50 high-paying jobs, with the potential to increase to up to 100 jobs once the production facility is completed.
The company has also worked with the state of South Dakota and the city of Sioux Falls to design a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility to be built by Schwan’s Company at the new manufacturing site. The wastewater treatment facility will allow the company to discharge water to the city with the least impact on the city’s current operations.
“We thank all South Dakota state and local officials for helping us make great progress on this project, which will ultimately help us meet the needs of our retail and food service customers,” said outgoing CEO of Schwan, Dimitrios P. Smyrnios. “This project will create significant new production capacity for Schwan’s, allowing us to continue to support our market share-leading bibigo brand and drive future innovation and growth in the Asian foods category. I want to personally thank Governor Kristi Noem and her team for her leadership and commitment to our plans. Without her unconditional support this project would not be possible. It is clear to me that “the state of South Dakota is open for business.” “
Brian Schiegg, incoming CEO of Schwan, agreed: “Our investment in this world-class Asian-style foods plant in South Dakota will help us strengthen our position in one of the fastest-growing food categories in the United States. USA. “We look forward to continuing our work with state and local officials to build a facility that benefits South Dakota residents as well as our family of companies.”
Minsok Pak, CEO of CJ Foods, added: “The US market continues to generate high growth for CJ Foods and the ability to continue expanding our product portfolio to meet growing consumer demand is vitally important to our strategy. This facility will allow us to further accelerate the growth of K-Food and other Asian cuisines. “We appreciate the support of local and state officials and look forward to contributing to our new home in South Dakota.”
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and other officials said they appreciate the investment Schwan’s is making in South Dakota.
“Schwan has recognized the excellent business climate the state offers,” he said. “I know his confidence in South Dakota is not misplaced and I appreciate the additional investment they are making.”
“When we began working with Schwan’s several years ago, we had no idea the project would reach this magnitude,” said Deputy Commissioner Chris Schilken. “It has been Governor Noem’s leadership and Schwan’s willingness to see South Dakota’s advantages that has led us to this announcement.”
“It was a pleasure to work with Schwan’s and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to bring this project over the finish line with additional investments,” said Bob Mundt, president of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. “We are excited to see the project moving earth.”
The new manufacturing facility will produce Asian-style foods, primarily for bibigo, Schwan’s number one Korean food brand, using state-of-the-art automated production lines. Once completed, people working at the facility will focus on preparing a wide range of Asian-style meals, sides, snacks and appetizers in the shelf-stable and frozen categories. The new manufacturing campus will also include a warehouse and distribution center, shipping and receiving docks, and office space.
Schwan Company
Headquartered in Minnesota, Schwan’s Company is a leading U.S. manufacturer and marketer of quality foods offered through grocery and foodservice retail channels. Its many popular brands include Red Baron®, Tony’s®, Hearth & Fire™, Big Daddy’s™, Villa Prima® and Freschetta® pizzas, Mrs. Smith’s® and Edwards® desserts, and bibigo™ and Asian-style foods. Pagoda®. The company is a subsidiary of global lifestyle company CJ Foods. For more information about Schwan’s, visit www.schwanscompany.com.
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