Governor Pat McCrory participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new manufacturing facility for Morinaga America Foods, a leading international confectionary company based in Japan. The new 120,000 square foot Orange County facility will be the company’s first production facility outside of Asia and will create approximately 90 new jobs and an investment of $48 million over the next three years.
“By next summer Morinaga’s new state-of-the-art production facility will provide yet another example of how North Carolina is attracting the interest of both domestic and international companies when they look for a place to call home,” said Governor McCrory. “They will find our strong workforce and the quality of life in North Carolina the perfect combination for success.”
Morinaga and Company was founded in 1899 in Tokyo. Morinaga produces a wide array of confectionaries. Products include milk caramel, chocolates, cookies, cocoa mix and frozen desserts such as ice cream sandwiches and sundae cups. Its North Carolina activities will primarily consist of blending syrup, sugar, flavorings and other ingredients to produce soft candy.
“Like so many of our companies in North Carolina, Morinaga’s decision to locate in Orange County presents another global stage for North Carolina-made products,” said Sharon Decker, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce. “They are a welcome addition to our growing portfolio of international manufacturing businesses.”
“North Carolina offers a remarkable business environment for companies such as ours,” said Toshiaki Fukunaga, president of Morinaga America Foods. “We look forward to being an integral part of the community and to years of success here in the United States.”
The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $264,000. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds.
Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Department of Transportation, N.C. Community Colleges, Orange County, Orange County Economic Development and the City of Mebane.