Quality Pasta Company LLC, a producer of pasta dinners and side dishes, announced plans to locate new operations in northwest Indiana, creating up to 70 new jobs by the end of 2024.
"As a state, we’re working hard to maintain a pro-growth business climate that supports new investment and attracts companies like Quality Pasta Company from across the country and around the world," said Interim Secretary of Commerce Jim Staton. "We're excited for what the company has in store for Lake County and look forward to supporting their growth in the Hoosier state for years to come."
Pennsylvania-based Quality Pasta Company will invest $13.3 million to lease and upgrade an 89,540-square-foot space at 9401 Georgia St. in Merrillville, equipping it with state-of-the-art, high-speed packaging lines. This expansion will enable the company to increase capacity, add new customers and continue to bring innovation to the retail and consumer package goods market. The Merrillville location, which will be the company's second production facility in the U.S. and first in Indiana, is expected to be fully operational by fall 2021.
“We are proud to embark on this expansion to bring new capacity to the market and especially proud to do this after more than a year operating in a pandemic," said Paul A. DeStefano, president of Quality Pasta Company. "The demand for our products and services remains strong, and we will continue to meet the needs of our customers with the highest quality, most innovative products available. The new plant and team in Merrillville will be a great compliment to our Charleroi, Pennsylvania, facility and team to help deliver more great products to the market.”
Quality Pasta Company, which currently employs more than 50 full-time associates in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, will begin hiring in Merrillville for a range of positions including mechanical, operations, quality, warehouse, office administration and others beginning this month. Interested applicants may apply online. The company expects to employ up to 50 new employees within the first year.
Founded in 2013, Quality Pasta Company produces a variety of pasta and side dish products, from traditional macaroni and cheese to creamy rice sides. Quality Pasta Company is most well known for its proprietary high-protein macaroni and cheese brand Muscle Mac®, which can be found in stores nationwide and locally in Meijer, Walmart, Jewel-Osco, GNC and Vitamin Shoppe, as well as online.
“We are pleased that Quality Pasta Company chose Merrillville for their first expansion location,” said Rick Bella, Merrillville Town Council president. “Their entry into our local market further enhances our growing reputation as a destination for food production and distribution, affording companies like Quality Pasta Company product delivery to 80% of the U.S. population within a day and a skilled workforce to get the job done.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Quality Pasta Company LLC up to $525,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired. The town of Merrillville also approved incentives.