SLIDELL, La. – On Might 3, BEC Co-Packers introduced a $2.5 million growth of its operations and footprint in the neighborhood. The meals manufacturing firm is predicated in japanese St. Tammany Parish.
The growth entails the acquisition and rehabilitation of a vacant 60,000 square-foot constructing and three.1 acres of land positioned at 61025 Freeway 11. The constructing, which has been out of commerce for 15 years, might be divided to permit 9,000 sq. ft to function house for brand new manufacturing strains and 49,000 sq. ft for use for warehousing. This growth will convey BEC’s whole footprint inside St. Tammany Parish to 115,000 sq. ft.
The corporate presently works out of the Johnny F. Smith Enterprise Park in Slidell, which is lower than a mile from the deliberate facility. It should maintain this location for its company headquarters.
“Our firm is aggressively centered on the longer term, and I’m proud that we’re in a position to proceed to develop proper right here in St. Tammany Parish,” mentioned BEC Co-Packers CEO Mike Boudreaux. “We maintain our merchandise to the best requirements and satisfaction ourselves on constantly enhancing our in-house capabilities to ship the highest quality merchandise to our shoppers and shoppers. This undertaking is reflective of the excessive worth we place on excellence in our discipline of labor.”
BEC presently has three manufacturing strains able to filling glass and plastic bottles, jars and jugs. The corporate focuses on each hot- and cold-fill merchandise. Recognizable native manufacturers and merchandise which might be made on the BEC facility embody Louisiana Fish Fry and Zea Rotisserie bar sauces.
BEC’s growth entails the acquisition and rehabilitation of a vacant 60,000 square-foot constructing and three.1 acres of land at 61025 Freeway 11 in Slidell.
This summer season, the corporate plans so as to add a fourth manufacturing line for sports activities and hydration drinks. A fifth manufacturing line could also be added in early 2024.
BEC presently has roughly 65 workers. The deliberate growth will create a necessity for roughly 35 to 50 new workers per shift. Inside six months of the beginning of manufacturing within the newly renovated facility, the corporate expects to transition to working two day by day shifts. Every new extra manufacturing line would require roughly the identical variety of new workers. In the end, this undertaking is anticipated so as to add an estimated 125 to 150 jobs to St. Tammany Parish.
BEC mentioned it plans to maintain its operations in St. Tammany Parish long-term.
Whereas BEC primarily offers providers as a “co-packer,” or contract packager, for a number of shoppers, it additionally develops new merchandise in its check kitchen and underneath the path of the corporate’s personal meals scientists and analysis and improvement group. The corporate plans to provide its personal teas, flavored waters, sports activities drinks and hydration drinks. Its first product known as “A-Sport.”
“This undertaking has proven itself to be a mannequin financial improvement undertaking for St. Tammany Parish on all fronts,” mentioned Chris Masingill, CEO of St. Tammany Company, which helped facilitate the deal. “From a growth-oriented, high-quality manufacturing and distribution firm, to supportive and engaged elected officers, to the plans to rejuvenate an under-used greyfield website, this undertaking has all the best components for fulfillment. Moreover, I’ll word that, due to the extremely delicate timeline required by this undertaking, transferring this growth undertaking ahead wouldn’t have been attainable with out the assist of parish authorities and parish council members, corresponding to Ronald Randolph, Chris Canulette, Arthur Laughlin and, not least of all, Council Chairman Jake Airey..”
“Seeing one other St. Tammany-based firm broaden in our parish is an excellent signal of progress,” mentioned St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper. “I’m grateful for BEC Co-Packers’ continued funding into our neighborhood, which can convey extra jobs and extra alternatives to our Parish.”
This story has been up to date to incorporate quotes from Chris Masingill, CEO of St. Tammany Company.