Leclerc Foods USA expanding with a new facility in Phoenix

SAINT-AUGUSTIN-DE-DESMAURES, QC, Feb. 12, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Leclerc Foods USA, a North American leader in the cookie, snack bar and cracker industry, is pleased to announce the acquisition of a 166,500-square-foot building in the Freeport Business Center for expansion of its food manufacturing operations in Phoenix, Arizona.

"This acquisition fits our business vision and corporate development strategy. It will allow us to position ourselves near our U.S. clients as well as hone in on food trends in the U.S. West Coast," asserts Denis Leclerc, President of Leclerc Foods USA.

Among other features, the company's sixth plant acquired on January 30 will be equipped with a brand new production line for nutritional bars and is designed to offer consumers a full selection of organic and GMO-free products—allowing Leclerc Foods USA to accelerate their development while building on its reputation as an innovator.

This acquisition represents growth potential that will enable Leclerc Foods USA to set up strategic locations in order to more easily serve markets such as the U.S. West Coast, Mexico and South America. "Not only are we increasing our production capacity, but we will also achieve substantial savings on transportation costs by being closer to key markets," explains Denis Leclerc.

Resulting from an investment of nearly $50 million over a three to five year period, this latest addition to the U.S. footprint of Leclerc Foods USA will generate up to 100 new jobs.

"We are committed to providing a great environment for business and business expansion in Phoenix," said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. "We are proud to welcome our Canadian friends at Leclerc Foods who have chosen our city to expand their manufacturing operations."

About Leclerc Foods USA
Leclerc Foods USA was founded in 1905 by François Leclerc. The company has grown remarkably over the last 30 years and now boasts more than 700 employees and six ultramodern factories including two in Quebec City, QC (Canada), one in Hawkesbury, ON (Canada), one in Montgomery, PA (USA), one in Kingsport, TN (USA) and now, one in Phoenix, AZ (USA). Leclerc Foods USA is headquartered in the François Leclerc Industrial Park in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec, Canada. The company specializes in cookies and snack bars, and exports to more than 20 countries. Leclerc is known as an innovative company attuned to the tastes and needs of informed customers who care about the food they eat and like to treat themselves to life's pleasures.

About the City of Phoenix
Phoenix is Arizona's capitol and the sixth largest city in the United States, with more than 1.4 million residents and growing. The city takes up more than 500 square miles.  The city's Community and Economic Development Department works with highly successful businesses of all sizes to locate, expand and become even more successful in Phoenix.

Image with caption: "LECLERC FOODS USA EXPANDING WITH A NEW FACILITY IN PHOENIX (CNW Group/Groupe Biscuits Leclerc)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140212_C9669_PHOTO_EN_36636.jpg

SOURCE: Groupe Biscuits Leclerc

Leclerc Foods USA: Marie-Josée Massicotte, [phone] ext. 2249 or
[email protected]
City of Phoenix: Sina Matthes, [phone] or [email protected] ACA: Joseph Valdez, [phone] or [email protected]
GPEC: Michelle Kauk, [phone] or [email protected]