King's Hawaiian announced a significant expansion of its Oakwood, Ga. based operations. Specifically, during 2014 the company will triple its production capacity in two projects: an expansion of its current facility to double that facility's production and the addition of a new approximately 120,000-foot plant. During 2014 and 2015, the company plans to add about 300 additional jobs for a total of almost 500 jobs in Oakwood. By the end of 2014, the company's investment in Hall County will exceed $100 million since its arrival in 2011. Financing for the expansion has been completed with GE Capital leading and Manufacturer's Bank and Farm Credit participating. Advising King's Hawaiian on the financing was: Seyfarth Shaw for legal, Avison Young for real estate and Stifel Nicolaus for investment banking.
The King's Hawaiian company is America's favorite provider of dinner rolls as well as formats such as sandwich rolls, hamburger rolls and its signature round bread. Founded in 1950, in Hilo, Hawaii, by Robert Taira, the company is still owned by the Taira family. Robert's son, Mark has led the company to achieve significant growth since the early 80s, largely through a relentless focus on product quality. The company operates two other bakery facilities and two restaurants in Southern California. In 2010, after reviewing opportunities to build a new facility in several eastern states the company picked Oakwood, in Hall County, Ga., and completed its bakery there in late 2011.
"Our experience in Oakwood, Hall County and the state of Georgia has been extremely positive. We have been able to hire terrific associates here and are impressed with local officials' ability to partner with business and to create win-win experiences for Georgia citizens and companies. In fact we are so impressed that our plans are to have a majority of our employees working in Oakwood by about 2014 or 2015. Aloha Spirit is alive in Hall County!" said CEO of King's Hawaiian, Mark Taira.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal said, "With this significant investment, King's Hawaiian is bringing the bread to Hall County. In its relatively short time in Georgia, King's Hawaiian has proved a valuable member of the corporate community, and today's expansion announcement shows the company's faith in our business climate and the skilled local workforce. King's Hawaiian growth and success will benefit northeast Georgia for many years to come."
Source: King's Hawaiian
