Gov. Susana MartinezSTATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Yesterday, Gov. Susana Martinez announced that Flagship Food Group will invest nearly $3 million to expand its manufacturing and distribution facilities in the Albuquerque area, creating 194 new manufacturing and distribution jobs and supporting over 100 construction jobs.
Flagship Foods originally expanded to New Mexico in 2014, citing the state’s enriched tax environment and improved business friendliness.
“Since day one, we’ve been fighting hard to make New Mexico more competitive with surrounding states through reforms like cutting taxes and streamlining regulations,” Martinez said. “Results like these mean more jobs for New Mexicans, and give us even more momentum to build on as we keep working to grow and diversify our economy.”
Flagship Food’s popular 505 Southwestern brand, is produced in New Mexico and certified as a New Mexico True product – and is now sold across the country and the world. 505 Southwestern produces $70 million in sales, accounting for roughly 30 percent of Flagship’s $240 million in total sales. The 505 Southwestern Brand has over 125,000 points of distribution across the U.S. with each product carrying the New Mexico True brand. Through the partnership with Flagship Foods, and 505 Southwestern, the New Mexico True brand has the potential for at least 1.2 million brand impressions every day.
“We are grateful for the support and business-friendly environment that New Mexico has given us. Without the help of Governor Susana Martinez and her pro-business reforms, this expansion would not be possible,” Rob Holland, CEO of Flagship Food Group said. “Our New Mexico-based products have helped us to grow internationally, and we look forward to further developing our partnership with the great state of New Mexico.”
New Mexico will provide $550,000 for the expansion through the state’s closing fund, known as LEDA. LEDA helps recruit new businesses to our state while helping those that are already here grow and thrive. Nearly zeroed out when Martinez took office, she fought to grow this important tool to more than $56 million.
“This expansion continues to move New Mexico’s private sector economy forward,” said Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Matt Geisel. “Our commitment to making New Mexico more competitive and business-friendly continues to deliver results- helping attract new companies to our state and helping existing companies grow and thrive.”
Today’s news follows Martinez’s recent announcement that New Mexico is a national leader in economic growth. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, New Mexico’s economy was the third-fastest growing in the country through 2017 so far. New Mexico also recently saw its largest over-the-year private-sector job growth in more than a decade, with nearly 19,000 new jobs since this time last year – in the top ten nationally. Additionally, Martinez recently announced that Facebook will double its investment in New Mexico – bringing their total commitment to New Mexico to half a billion dollars.
Martinez’s reforms continue to help companies from all across the country and the world grow and thrive in New Mexico – like Facebook, FedEx, Safelite Autoglass, Raytheon, RSI and Keter Plastic. Homegrown New Mexico companies are growing and thriving across the state as well – like Skorpios, Descartes Labs, Risksense and many others.
Flagship Food Group is a global, diversified food company serving the retail, club store, and food service channels across a broad array of product lines. Its brands include TJ Farms, Lilly B’s, 505 Southwestern, Chris & Pitts, and Su Ming. It also serves as a valuable supplier to private label customers and provides industry services to food companies through its logistics and packaging divisions. Flagship is headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, and its more than 500 employees serve the company in its key facilities and offices in or near Denver, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Boise, Indianapolis, and Minnesota.
