Fuji Vegetable Oil Inc., owned by Fuji Oil Holdings of Japan, will develop a food processing, storage and distribution complex just West of New Orleans, in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
Fuji will process palm oil, palm kernel oil, sunflower oil and coconut oil at the Jefferson Parish complex, with an increased demand for palm oil in the U.S. being the primary driver for development of the new processing investment.
Palm oil and related oils are key components for a variety of consumer products, such as cooking oil; margarine; ice cream; ready-to-eat meals; liquid detergents, soaps and shampoos; lipstick, waxes and polishes; and industrial lubricants.
“We are very excited about our expansion to Jefferson Parish,” said President Andrew Bunger of Fuji Vegetable Oil. “It is an important step in Fuji’s development in the United States. We are thankful to all the people at the State of Louisiana and Jefferson Parish who have welcomed us to New Orleans. Fuji has many great partners who are making this project possible. We are breaking ground today and look forward to working with all of our new neighbors.”
Fuji Vegetable Oil anticipates hiring for the project will begin in the fourth quarter of 2019, with the completion of construction scheduled for June 2020 and operations beginning soon thereafter.
“This is an exciting moment for the West Bank and specifically the Avondale area,” Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni said. “The Fuji project is one of several major economic development wins for Jefferson Parish this year, a testament to our strong workforce, unique assets, accessibility and ease of doing business. Fuji’s investment in Jefferson Parish continues to support this community as a global destination for business.”
To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered a competitive incentive package that includes the comprehensive solutions of LED FastStart . The project will receive $250,000 through the state’s Economic Development Award Program, which will be used for infrastructure improvements at the site. Fuji also is expected to utilize Louisiana’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
Additionally, the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, or JEDCO, provided support by coordinating meetings with Jefferson Parish leaders and offering tax incentive guidance. JEDCO also offered space at the organization’s Conference Center to support the company’s hiring and job training activities.
“We are honored to welcome Fuji Vegetable Oil to Jefferson Parish,” said JEDCO President & CEO Jerry Bologna. “Fuji’s groundbreaking marks the entrance of another global company into our community. This announcement brings even more foreign direct investment into Jefferson Parish, placing this area at a strategic advantage to attract additional international companies like Fuji. We are grateful for Fuji’s investment and vision, and we look forward to working with the company as it grows and thrives in Jefferson Parish.”
“This has been an outstanding year for Avondale and the West Bank of Jefferson, and Fuji Vegetable Oil represents yet another milestone in bringing back an important economic engine for the greater New Orleans region,” said GNO Inc. President & CEO Michael Hecht. “Fuji Vegetable Oil is a great addition to our business community, complementing our growing food manufacturing industry. We look forward to supporting their success here.”
