Cereal Ingredients Inc. (CII) has announced it will build a new 80,000 square foot facility in St. Joseph following a Missouri-Kansas bi-state location search. The company will purchase 8 acres in Eastowne Business Park and construct a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with new technology to enhance and expand its product line.
The total project includes an estimated $24 million investment of building and equipment, with new equipment expansions in years three and six of operations. The company expects to hire at least 48 by the end of year three of operations and expand its workforce to 60 plus by year six.
“We are excited to welcome Cereal Ingredients, Inc., to the state of Missouri,” Gov. Mike Parson said. “The company’s decision to invest and create new jobs in Missouri is a testament to the hard-working men and women who call our state home. We look forward to working together as Cereal Ingredients Inc., grows and succeeds.”
Incentives that assisted to make the project viable for Cereal Ingredients, Inc. in St. Joseph include the Chapter 100 program and the Buchanan County Economic Development Forgivable Loan program.
The Resolution of Intent for Chapter 100 to encourage the company to locate in St. Joseph will go before the City Council on Monday, March 22, 2021.
“We are very pleased to have Cereal Ingredients, Inc. select St. Joseph for its first expansion outside of their campus in Leavenworth, Kansas,” said R. Patt Lilly, President and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Partnership. “Cereal Ingredients is an established company providing innovative and quality products for the food industry. We appreciate the confidence of the company’s leadership team to select and invest in St. Joseph and create such excellent jobs.”
Robert Hatch, CEO of the company stated, “Cereal Ingredients, Inc. (CII) is excited to open a state-of the-art food manufacturing facility in St. Joseph. The goodwill we have built with our customers has allowed us the opportunity to expand. We appreciate all the help provided from the City of St. Joseph, Chamber of Commerce, Buchanan County, State of Missouri, Newmark Zimmer and all of the other participants who helped finalize this project. We look forward to a completion date in the first quarter of 2022.”
The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce – Economic Development Partnership was proud to partner with the following organizations on the project:
- City of St. Joseph
- Buchanan County
- Missouri Partnership
- State of Missouri – Department of Economic Development
- Newmark Zimmer
- Evergy
- Spire
“We are excited that Cereal Ingredients has chosen St. Joseph and Buchanan County to locate their new facility,” said Lee Sawyer, Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner. “Our community has continued to grow in the area of food and ingredients production for many years. CI has a proven to be a well-run company with a great management team. They also have a long track record of giving back to society.”
“When a group of us from the Chamber, City, and County visited CII in early January, I knew instantly what a good fit the people and plant would be in St. Joseph,” said Mayor Bill McMurray. “I’m thrilled CII agrees – and, as Mayor, am delighted to welcome our newest corporate citizen.”
About Cereal Ingredients:
Cereal Ingredients, Inc., is a privately held, employee-owned specialty ingredients manufacturer that was established in 1990 by Robert Hatch to research, develop and market unique, new food ingredients. The Company holds multiple worldwide product and process patents.
The Company produces food particulates that add flavor, texture and color to baked goods, cereals, and numerous food applications, as well as pre-blended mixes to create added flavor and swirl effects in bread products. Flav-R-Bites® are specially formulated for specific client needs and are offered in a variety of sizes, flavors and textures and are produced using CII’s patented product and process technology. CII also manufactures Texturized Plant Proteins and Direct Expanded Plant Protein Crisps that are utilized in plant-based crumbles, patties, cereals, nutritional bars and shakes, pet treats, confection, streusel and other crunches and toppings.
Cereal Ingredients, Inc. is headquartered in Leavenworth, Kansas, with a sister food lab company (Great Plains Analytical Lab) location in Kansas City, Missouri. The company has 200 employees.
About the Chamber:
The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce has been the catalyst for economic growth and development in Northwest Missouri since its inception in the mid-1800s. The Chamber serves as the unified voice of business that advocates, promotes and inspires the St. Joseph area. The Chamber strives to create partnerships and promote a culture of excellence that allows the almost 1,300 Chamber members to succeed and the St. Joseph area to prosper.