BRISTOL – Monogram Foods, a manufacturer and marketer of food products, announced plans today to grow production in Elkhart County, creating up to 74 new jobs by 2017.
“As a national company with locations across the country, Monogram Foods had choices on where to locate these new jobs, and after considering its options this company keeps choosing Indiana,” said Governor Mike Pence. “Today’s news marks the second time in the last year that Monogram Foods has committed to adding new jobs in Indiana. Monogram Foods and companies across Indiana are thriving in our state’s affordable, low-tax business climate, which has helped us add nearly 150,000 new Hoosier jobs just since 2013.”
The Memphis, Tennessee-based company will invest $5.3 million to renovate and equip its 104,000-square-foot facility at 605 Kesco Drive in Bristol, where it will add a new mini corn dog production line and install new equipment for batter and breading, frying, freezing and packaging. Renovations at the company’s facility are currently underway, with plans for production on the new line to begin early next year. As part of its growth, the company expects to increase production to reach more than 3 million corn dogs daily, which are sold under store brands across the country.
Monogram Foods’ growth follows news last summer that the company was investing $13 million into its production operations in Bristol, with plans to add 75 new Indiana jobs. The company has already exceeded last year’s hiring goal and currently employs more than 350 Hoosiers as part of its team of 2,600 associates across the country.
“We are exceedingly proud of our Bristol team members,” said Karl Schledwitz, chairman and chief executive officer of Monogram Foods. “Bristol is one of our most productive plants, and we attribute its growth and success to the great people of Bristol and Elkhart County that make up the Monogram Comfort Foods Family.”
Monogram Foods is currently hiring first and second shift production team members, maintenance technicians, machine operators and forklift operators. Interested applicants may apply online at www.monogramfoods.com/careers or by attending career fairs at the company’s Bristol facility on September 7 and October 5 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Founded in 2004, Monogram Foods processes and markets meat snacks, corn dogs, pre-cooked bacon, smoked sausage, appetizers, sandwiches, pet treats and other value-added meats. With production facilities in Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Massachusetts, the company has been included for eight consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list, which honors the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Monogram Foods has experienced 42 percent compounded growth annually since its founding, earning $442.1 million in revenue last year.
“Monogram Foods has added to the diversity of thriving companies in our area,” said Cathy Burke, president of the Bristol Town Council. “We look forward to a continued successful relationship between the town of Bristol and the leadership at Monogram Foods for many years to come.”
As an agribusiness, Monogram Foods is part of Indiana’s growing agriculture industry, which supports more than 107,000 Hoosier jobs and contributes an estimated $31 billion to the state’s economy each year. Indiana ranks second in the country for popcorn production, tomatoes for processing and ice cream production.
“Agriculture is Indiana’s calling card and has been for 200 years. Today, more than 100,000 Hoosiers across the state earn their living through this industry at companies like Monogram Foods,” said Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb, who also serves as Indiana Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Monogram Foods is creating more jobs in Elkhart and continues plays a key role in our robust, $31 billion agriculture industry.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Monogram Frozen Foods up to $200,000 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 incentive. The town of Bristol is reviewing additional incentives at the request of the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County.
