January 13, 2009 —
Canada-basded LeClerc Foods, Inc. is making more than granola bars
at its new facility, which began operation in the Northeast Tennessee
Business Park on December 8. It's making a strategic investment in
the United States, producing some of its snack foods and helping support
the local and regional economies.
As the world economy continues into
uncertain times of layoffs, closures, bankruptcy and a credit crisis,
the family-owned business has created 15 jobs with a total of 80 to
100 projected to come.
The company also projects a $30 million
to $35 million investment in Kingsport over three years, including
a building project that will almost double the size of the existing
88,500 square foot building. "Right now, we're close to $20 million.
Once we're done, we're going to be $30 million plus," said Jean-Marc
Lemoine, Executive Vice-President of LeClerc Foods Tennessee, LLC.
LeClerc traces its roots back to 1905
and has survived two world wars , the 1930's fire destroying its plant,
the Great Depression and various recessions. "People eat their
way through a recession," quipped Lemoine, who has lived in the
United States for five years and recently moved to Gray, Tennessee.
LeClerc has four plants in Canada and
two in the United States, one in Montgomery, PA, that opened more
than six years ago, and the Kingsport plant. The Kingsport plant is
also home of LeClerc's U.S. headquarters, research and development.
Lemoine cited the need for a U.S. location in the southeast since
its other plants cover Canada and the Northeast as well. In addition,
Lemoine said that what cinched the deal was the decision of Steve
Smith, head of the Food City grocery chain based in Abingdon, VA,
to start carrying LeClerc-branded products, those made in Kingsport
and elsewhere.
Six of the cookies in LeClerc's Distinction line will be on Food City
shelves in early 2009, as well as four products from the Vital line,
two bars and two cookies. LeClerc also makes about 40 products for
Target sold locally.
Of the 83,000 square foot expansion
planned for 2009, Lemoine said about 50,000 square feet will be for
warehouse space and the rest for production of crackers and cookies.
LeClerc corporate offices are located
in Quebec City, Canada. The company manufactures cookies, granola
bars, crackers and breakfast cereals for a multitude of customers.
The products are sold in more than 20 countries worldwide, although
the cereal is not sold in the United States.
For more information about LeClerc Foods, visit the company's website
at www.leclerc.ca.
