WEB EXCLUSIVE
Reser's Fine Foods Expanding in Topeka, KS
Reser's Fine Foods announced today plans to expand their manufacturing facilities by constructing a 160,000-square-foot building on land located at 6th and Deer Creek Trafficway in Topeka, KS.
"We are approaching the limits of our production capacity and feel it's time to expand and meet the increased demands of our customers," says Tony Kunis, general manager of Reser's. "With this new expansion our sales should approach the $500 million mark company-wide."
This expansion will bring the total number of plants for Reser's to 15 nationwide. The land is the former site of Farmland Foods. The Farmland facility has been demolished and construction has started on the new building. Kunis anticipates occupying the new building by September 1, 2005. The company will hire 60 people immediately and another 40 employees within the year according to Kunis. Estimated investment for the expansion is $22 million.
Reser's has requested a tax exemption for the new facility. The firm has also been granted state incentive dollars for training, tax credits, and funding from the Kansas Existing Industries Expansion Program (KEIEP).
GO Topeka is also offering an incentive package of $400.00 per job up to 100 jobs, as a result of the economic development sales tax.
"We appreciate the opportunity to work with the City and GO Topeka, and the Kansas Department of Commerce," Kunis says, "in developing the incentive package. This area is one of the best distribution locales in the country and it's working for Reser's."
Topeka native Al Reser, Reser's president and CEO, says, "I'm excited about the opportunities and flexibility this new facility offers our company and appreciate the effort the employees and staff have put forth to make the expansion happen."
Reser's has manufacturing plants in Honolulu, HI; two in Beaverton, OR; one each in Pasco, WA; Cleveland, OH; Roanoke Rapids, NC; Salem OR; Milwaukee, OR; and Yakima, WA.
When the expansion is complete, the Topeka operations will be the largest producer and distributor in the Reser company. The company's products include Mexican foods, fresh potato products, fresh salad products, entrees, side dishes, mashed potatoes, and many more items.
"While our other plants focus on one product, in Topeka, we "do it all," says Kunis.
Reser's has been a part of the Topeka business community since 1991. Headquartered in Beaverton, OR, the company started in Topeka with 50,000 square feet and 35 employees. It currently occupies 220,000-square-feet on the main campus (three plants, a distribution center and a truck shop) and have close to 600 employees. The firm has experienced several expansions including purchase of LaSiesta Foods in the early 1990s.
