MUNSTER, Ind. – Carl Buddig & Company, a producer of sliced and packaged lunchmeat, announced plans today to relocate its distribution center from South Holland, Ill. to Munster, Ind., creating up to 55 new jobs by 2016.
"Illinois companies are on the move–to Indiana," said Victor Smith, Indiana Secretary of Commerce. "From Buddig to recent announcements from firms like MAC Medical and Tec Air, Illinois companies continue to discover that our low taxes, limited regulations, growing infrastructure and skilled workforce make Indiana a state that works for business. Welcome to Indiana, Buddig, and may you enjoy many years of growth and job creation here in the Hoosier State."
The Homewood, Ill.-based company will invest $3.7 million to lease and refurbish the 65,000 square-foot former Dawn Foods facility at 215 45th Ave. in Munster. The facility, which is expected to begin operations in March, will enable the company to increase its available warehouse and dock space, growing capacity for added production lines across the company. Buddig currently employs more than 1,000 associates nationally with its subsidiary Old Wisconsin Sausage.
"Moving into the new Munster facility was an easy decision for the company," said Dan Wynn, chief operating officer of Buddig. "Finding a food grade facility within 10 miles from the plant was a major factor in the decision. Also, since the Dawn facility was partially refrigerated, the company was able to reduce the investment needed to refrigerate the entire facility. Last, lower real estate tax rates and an overall more affordable cost of doing business definitely created an attractive financial proposition."
Founded in 1937, Buddig is a family-owned and operated business, now led by the third generation. Recently welcoming its fourth generation into company operations, Buddig produces vacuum packed, pre-weighed portioned packages of lunchmeats including turkey, chicken, ham and beef. As the fifth largest selling sliced lunchmeat brand, the company supplies grocery retailers and food service operators in Indiana, as well as across the United States and Canada.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Carl Buddig and Company up to $300,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Munster approved additional incentives.
"We are always proud to announce when another company decides to relocate to the town of Munster," said Joseph A. Simonetto, president of the Munster Town Council. "When it is a renowned and family-owned company like Buddig that announces they would like to open logistical operations in the town of Munster, we are ecstatic. The investment dollars and the jobs this company brings are wonderful for our community."
Illinois companies continue to relocate their operations to low-taxed Indiana. Just last month, Illinois-based MAC Medical and Tec Air announced plans to move operations east of the Illinois-Indiana border to Munster, creating a combined nearly 300 new Hoosier jobs and more than $16 million in capital investment.
About Carl Buddig & Company
Based in Homewood, Ill, Carl Buddig & Co. has been feeding family traditions for more than 70 years with the very best in taste, variety and convenience. Carl Buddig & Co. is the family-owned parent company of Buddig lunchmeat and Old Wisconsin hardwood smoked sausage and snack products. Buddig offers an assortment of quality, thin-sliced lean meats for sandwiches, snacks and special recipes including Buddig Original, Deli Cuts and Fix Quix products. Old Wisconsin sausage and meat snack products are handcrafted and smoked over real hardwood fires. To learn more, visit www.buddig.com and www.oldwisconsin.com.
About IEDC
Created in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mike Pence. Victor Smith serves as the Indiana Secretary of Commerce and Eric Doden is the president of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
Source: Carl Buddig & Company
