Senatobia, Miss. (August 6, 2015) — Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from Calbee North America gathered today for the grand opening of the company’s snack food manufacturing facility in Senatobia, Miss. The company announced in October 2014 it would locate in the former BMW distribution facility there. The project represents a corporate investment of $51.1 million and will create 254 jobs.
“Today is a great day for Senatobia and Tate County as Calbee North America prepares to ramp up its operations and provide so many job opportunities for the area’s workforce,” Gov. Bryant said. “This grand opening is another positive indicator that our economy continues to gain momentum, and it also serves as a testament to the fact that Mississippi is open for business. I once again thank the Calbee team for choosing to locate in our state, and I wish the company many successful years in Tate County.”
“Building the plant in Senatobia was a fast track project for Calbee North America. We first looked at the building at the end of August of last year. We simultaneously began the process of working with the state and city, the seller and our engineering and construction project management team. With everyone’s support and our determined effort, we were able to make our first product by the end of May of this year,” said Calbee North America President Gene Jensen. We currently have 70 employees operating three shifts. Already during the months of June and July, we’ve produced and shipped dozens of semi-tractor trailers of Harvest Snaps to our customers. We are excited to have the Senatobia plant join our other operations in California and Oregon. The Senatobia plant is designed for ongoing expansion to keep pace with our sales growth in the coming months and years.”
The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance for rail and infrastructure improvements. The city of Senatobia, Tate County and Delta Regional Authority also provided assistance for the project.
“Calbee’s operations in Senatobia is supported by the strong teamwork of the Tate County Economic Development Foundation, the Tate County Board of Supervisors, the city of Senatobia, the Mississippi Development Authority and the Delta Regional Authority. We salute the leaders in Senatobia and Tate County who are our valued partners in community and economic development,” said aid MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough. “MDA congratulates Calbee on their grand opening, and we appreciate the exciting career opportunities provided for people working for Calbee’s success in North Mississippi.”
Calbee North America is a joint venture of Calbee, Inc., Tokyo, Japan and R.D. Offutt, Fargo, ND. The company became one of the first Japanese food manufacturers in North America when it began selling its Saya and Shrimp Chips brands in the early 1970s. Calbee’s snack food brands include Harvest Snaps, Jagabee, Whole Cuts, Potato Chips, Saya Snow Pea Crisps and Shrimp Chips. For more information, please visit www.calbeena.com.
The post Calbee North America Begins Operations in Senatobia appeared first on Mississippi Development Authority.