National Baking Company to build $6.7b plant in Montego Bay

 

National Baking Company is to build a new manufacturing plant in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, St. James.

 

Chairman and CEO of National Baking Company Gary "Butch" Hendrickson, says the new plant, which will provide 75 direct jobs, will cost the company $6.7 billion.

 

"We'll have the capacity to produce over 3600 loaves an hour. It's going to be a fast plant, it's going to be a quick plant, it's going to be a very efficient plant. The new facilities will also stimulate regional growth and efficiently distribute to St. James, Trelawny, St. Ann, Hanover, Westmoreland, and St. Elizabeth," he declared, adding that the company is committed to delivering fresh product to these areas in the shortest possible time. 

 

Mr. Hendrickson said the facility will also position the company to take on more overseas opportunities. 

 

"This 120,000 square foot plant further enhances our capability to export using the Montego Freeport facilities, when possible, in the years to come. It's going to open new opportunities of tonnage, production tonnage, and logistics. And it will allow us to better meet the demands of our growing international markets. It is intended so that this be as modern a facility and technically advanced as anywhere else on planet Earth." 

 

The plant is to be completed in 2025 and National Baking Company aims for it to be approved by the US based Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

There are plans to also build new distribution centres across the island, with the first one close to being completed in Mandeville, Manchester.