Tennessee’s economic landscape is set to receive a significant boost as Rich Products, a global food company, announced a $27 million investment in expanding its manufacturing operations in Morristown, Hamblen County. This development was jointly announced by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter, and officials from Rich Products.
The expansion will see the addition of 51 new manufacturing jobs to the region, increasing Rich Products’ total employment in Tennessee to nearly 1,400. Specifically, the project will augment the Morristown facility by 2,400 square feet, enhancing the company’s capacity to meet the growing demand for its bakery business, which serves both national and regional grocery and club retailers. The expansion is scheduled for completion by September 2024, with recruitment beginning in June 2023.
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Established in 1945, Rich Products has a substantial global presence, operating in over 100 countries and employing approximately 13,000 people worldwide. In Tennessee alone, the company boasts a significant presence with two manufacturing plants in Morristown, currently employing 650 associates.
This move is part of a broader economic development strategy in the East Tennessee region, which, since 2020, has seen nearly 50 projects supported by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), resulting in around 8,600 job commitments and $2.3 billion in capital investment.
Governor Bill Lee highlighted the importance of investments from family-owned companies like Rich’s in contributing to the state’s economic growth and providing greater opportunities for Tennessee’s skilled workforce. TNECD Commissioner McWhorter echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the role of the food and agriculture sector in the state’s economy and expressing his confidence in Morristown and Hamblen County as ideal locations for Rich’s continued success.
Kevin Spratt, president of Rich Products’ U.S. Canada Region, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, citing it as a win-win for the community, customers, and consumers alike by creating jobs and enhancing production capacity to meet the demand for cakes and cupcakes.
Local leaders, including Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney and chairman of the Industrial Development Board of the City of Morristown, R. Jack Fishman, applauded Rich’s for its long-standing contribution to the local economy and its continued investment in the community. This sentiment was further supported by statements from TVA, local state Senator Steve Southerland, and Representative Rick Eldridge, all of whom celebrated the positive impact of Rich’s expansion on job creation and economic growth in Hamblen County.
Rich Products, known for its diverse range of food products and solutions, remains committed to its role in the global food industry and in supporting communities through economic development.
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