USA — Greece-based snack and baked foods company SnackCraft LLC, a subsidiary of Unismack SA, will invest US$41.75 million to open its first US facility and headquarters in Michigan.
Unismack, founded in 2008, specializes in the research and development and manufacturing of natural, healthy snack foods.
Specializing in allergen-free baked snacks and extrusions, SnackCraft’s portfolio already may be found at major retailers across the United States.
The new facility— set to be led by chief executive officer Joseph Riley, will specialize in co-packing and contract manufacturing baked crackers, tortilla chips, single and twin-screw extruded snacks, and pellet snacks such as vegetable chips and straws, according to the company.
In addition, the facilities will provide research and development innovation spaces, warehousing and some third-party logistics to consumers. When completed the facility is set to create up to 185 jobs.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said: “This investment by SnackCraft will create long-term economic opportunity in West Michigan’s agribusiness sector and build on our efforts to grow Michigan’s economy, create good-paying jobs, and invest in every region of our great state.”
The new facility will specialize in co-packing and contract manufacturing baked crackers, tortilla chips, single and twin-screw extruded snacks, and pellet snacks such as vegetable chips and straws, according to the company
The Michigan Strategic Fund awarded the company a US$1 million performance-based grant through the Michigan Business Development Program for the project, which was chosen over a competing site in Chicago.
Economic development agency The Right Place Inc., also chipped in with US$5,000 in in-kind services — in helping to secure the location.
In addition to these, West Michigan Works! and Grand Rapids Community College also will support the project with a US$614,000 workforce training package.
“As we looked into expanding our manufacturing capacity and location for our company in the US, the Grand Rapids region seemed like an obvious choice,” said Dimitrios Stratakis, founder and CEO of Unismack.
“There is an abundance of talent and resources here in West Michigan to help us in the next phase of our journey and we’re thankful to the team at the MEDC for their support, insights and guidance along with their partners at The Right Place.”
SnackCraft’s new North American facility will be constructed in the former Kerry Foods facility. Renovations will include equipment, lighting and utilities upgrades as well as improvements to the space for warehousing and manufacturing lines, according to the company.
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