A Chester County industry is announcing a $3.1 million expansion that is expected to create 100 new jobs.
Haddon House Food Products Inc., an exporter, importer and distributor of food products, plans to increase its operations in the county.
“We are pleased to take the next big step for our company and move forward with plans to greatly expand our Chester County facility,” said Bob Blake, facility manager for Haddon House. “South Carolina has provided us with an excellent place to do business and an exceptional workforce. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials.”
Haddon Houses’ plans are to expand its existing facility, located at 578B L and C Industrial Park, in Richburg to allow for increased volume for the company’s distribution operations. The company currently has more than 250 employees at the location. The expansion is expected to be completed by 2017.
S.C. Governor Nikki Haley said it is good to see established businesses in the state experiencing growth.
“It’s great to see another one of our state’s existing businesses build on its presence here,” Haley said. “Today’s announcement is also another big win for one of South Carolina’s rural areas.”
Chester County Supervisor Carlisle Roddey said Haddon House had been a strong part of Chester County for years.
“Since 1988, Haddon House Food Products has been a strong community members and partner in economic success of Chester County,” Roddey said. “We are extremely pleased that they made the decision to expand their Richburg operation. Chester County appreciates the company’s investment in our community and we will continue to work with them and our other existing industrial partners to create the best possible conditions for the growth of business.”
Mike Enoch, the Chester Development Association chairman, said the move affirms that “Chester County is an excellent location to do business.” South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said the state’s distribution and logistics sector has seen growth in recent years and the Haddon House expansion is just one example of that.
Haddon House Food Products is the largest privately owned distributor, importer and exporter of specialty, natural, organic, ethnic and kosher foods. For more than 50 years, Haddon House has provided quality dry grocery, frozen and refrigerated products to thousands of retailers in the United States and abroad.
The company services customers from two major, state-of-the art distribution centers located in Howell, New Jersey and Richburg.
Abroad, Haddon House is a well-known experienced export distributor providing products and service to leading retailers throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Asia, for more than 20 years.
Since January of 2011, South Carolina has recruited more than $322 million in capital investment and more than 2,800 jobs in the distribution and logistics sector.
Haddon House expects to begin hiring for the new positions in the fall of next year.
By Travis Jenkins, Staff Reporter with The News & Reporter
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