USA — Branded and private-label snack manufacturer SunTree Snack Foods, LLC is investing US$10.1 million into a new manufacturing site in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

SunTree has an industry-leading reputation for innovation and commercializing new on-trend snack nuts, trail mix, and other better-for-you products for national and regional retailers, with a focus on its customers’ private labels and store brands.

SunTree’s new facility in Wayne County will increase its manufacturing capacity and its national footprint, allowing it to deliver additional products and serve new customers while creating 94 jobs new jobs in the Goldsboro area.

“The addition of this East Coast facility will allow us to efficiently serve the eastern US distribution centers for national and regional retailers, and the expanded capacity will reduce lead times for our customers and minimize the ecological impact of long-haul shipping,” said Jeff Vogel, chief executive officer of SunTree.

SunTree Snacks has made a great decision to establish an East Coast headquarters in Wayne County,” said Governor Cooper. “Our quality of life, affordability, and manufacturing workforce continues to attract businesses from across the globe.”

The addition of this East Coast facility will allow us to efficiently serve the eastern US distribution centers for national and regional retailers, and the expanded capacity will reduce lead times for our customers and minimize the ecological impact of long-haul shipping

Jeff Vogel, chief executive officer of SunTree

Tweet

“North Carolina’s US$90 billion agricultural economy is deeply rooted in our bountiful food processing industry and access to more than 170 million customers,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders.

“When companies are ready to expand, they want to operate in places where they are centrally located and have access to a pipeline of skilled talent.”

A performance-based grant of US$250,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help with SunTree’s expansion to North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs.

While the new development represents SunTree’s first East Coast facility, the company already has made other efforts to increase its presence in the area.

Earlier this month, SunTree acquired Carolina Nut Co., the maker of Carolina Nut Co. and The Peanut Roaster branded snack nuts.

The acquisition was motivated in part by Carolina Nut’s own manufacturing facility in North Carolina that brings additional distribution capacity and an in-house research and development laboratory.

Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro-industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE.