Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Calpis America Inc. has selected Peachtree City for its U.S. headquarters and first manufacturing operation. The company will invest $20 million and create 42 jobs in its first year of operations.
“As the No. 1 poultry-producing state in the nation, Georgia is the ideal place for Calpis to expand in the United States,” said Deal. “International firms such as Calpis find success here not only because Georgia is one of the top markets for its products, but because the state is a hub for fast, efficient outreach to other markets in North and South America. The company’s strategic decision to locate here moves us closer to becoming the best place in the nation in which to do business.”
Calpis will construct a facility in Peachtree City Industrial Park to produce its direct-fed microbial product, CALSPORIN® animal feed ingredients, which is used widely in the livestock industry to supply a naturally occurring microorganism. Operations are anticipated to begin in April 2014, and Georgia Quick Start, the nation’s top-ranked customized workforce training program, will assist the company with its training needs.
Calpis’ long-standing livestock microbial product was developed through extensive research and launched in 1987 in Japan. The microbial product takes advantage of the bacterial species Bacillus subtilis to produce the fermentation product CALSPORIN® containing a naturally occurring microorganism which, according to research, may help build a preferable intestinal environment.
“U.S. consumers have for many years given us business opportunities and ideas to improve our products,” said president of Calpis America Inc. Masato Yoshida. “Not only is the U.S. the world’s biggest supplier of meat products, it also has a great potential to further develop the industry both in volume and quality. Locating this plant in Georgia will enable us to better serve the industry and to utilize the abundant workforce. Peachtree City provides us good access to our users as well as transportation convenience both domestically and internationally.”
The Georgia Department of Economic Development partnered with the Fayette County Development Authority to manage this project. Scott McMurray, director of the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Logistics, Energy, Agriculture and Food Processing industry team, assisted Calpis on behalf of the state. Yumiko Nakazono, director of Georgia’s Japan office, coordinated the introduction of the company to the state during the SEUS-Japan conference in July 2012.
"We are excited to welcome another Japanese company to Fayette County," said Fayette County Development Authority Chair Randy Hayes. "Matt Forshee and his team do a great job promoting Peachtree City as the location in metro Atlanta for internationally based companies to begin their U.S. operations. Our proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and our unique quality of life are going to help Calpis get off to a great start here in Georgia."
“Calpis’ choice to invest in Georgia is a perfect example of the reason Georgia established an office in Japan 40 years ago,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey. “The company joins more than 370 Japanese businesses throughout the state employing 20,000-plus Georgians. It is our partnerships both at home and abroad that make this sort of success possible.”
About Calpis Co., Ltd.
Calpis originated as a manufacturer of cultured milk drink named “CALPIS®,” under founder Kaiun Mishima, following development of the drink in 1919. The company has since expanded overseas, especially into Asia, with its beverages lineup as well as other dairy products. Using its expertise in fermentation processes, the company now makes dietary supplements and animal feed additives. Calpis Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, has existing U.S. facilities in Los Angeles, primarily for its beverage business, and Mount Prospect, Ill., for its feed business. Calpis Co., Ltd. had approximately $1.3 billion in net sales in 2011.