Campbell Soup to expand Macton plant

Sep 23, 2008 (The Fayetteville Observer - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- CPB | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Sep. 23--MAXTON -- Campbell Soup Co. is expanding its plant in Robeson County, adding a packaging capability that should create 50 jobs by summer.

Mark Cacciatore, senior director of operations at the Maxton plant, said the $15.9 million investment will include an additional 4,000 square feet of space and new machinery.

It will allow the plant, which now packages mainly in cans, to add what is known as "aseptic" production -- "basically, soup in a carton," Caccitore said.

Swanson broth -- a Campbell product -- packaged in that manner will be produced in Maxton as early as next summer, he said.

This is the second phase of recent development at the Maxton plant.

The first phase began in 2007 and wrapped up earlier this year. That was an $11 million investment for 225,000 additional feet of warehouse space, said Greg Cummings, Robseson County's economic development director.

At times, Cummings said, he had been nervous that a Campbell plant in Texas, California or Ohio might have nabbed the aseptic venture instead of Maxton.

"We really wanted it in this community," Cummings said. "They are a very valuable asset to our county."

Cacciatore said cooperation of state and county officials was key in landing the expansion. He also credited the track record of the local work force.

Water was also a selling point, Cummings said.

"During peak season, they use an average of 5 million gallons of water a day," he said. "And what we're doing is a total upfit up there in that part of the county."

Construction on the expansion actually started a few days ago, Cacciatore said.

When the additional 50 employees are hired, he said, the plant will have about 850 workers.

Right now, Campbell contracts with a third-party company in the United States to package Swanson broth. It is also produced in Toronto plant.

This will be the company's first U.S. plant to handle the aseptic production of the broth, Caccitore said.

"Our opportunities for life-long work force training, dedicated workers and exceptional quality of life continue to attract companies that want to grow and expand," Gov. Mike Easley said in a news release issued Monday.

The release said the expansion was made possible in part by a $150,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund, which provides financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create jobs in the state.

Many of the jobs are likely to pay between $12 and $14 an hour, Cummings said.

According to the release from the governor's office, salaries for the 50 new positions will vary by job type, but the average annual wage will be $41,267, not including benefits -- more than the Robeson County average annual wage of $25,116.

Staff writer Rebecca Logan can be reached at loganr@fayobserver.com or 486-3582.

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