Contact: Frank Quintero                                                                                                                                                                                     August 29, 2012

Office of Economic Development                                                            

209-385-6827

209-388-7612 E-fax

New Jobs for City of Merced -  Industry Expanding to Merced

MERCED – The Oregon based food processing company, Cascade Specialties, Inc. and the City of Merced,  Office of Economic Development are pleased to announce the expansion of Cascade’s White Oak Frozen Foods Division to Merced, California. 

The Company will establish a new food processing plant to process locally grown vegetables into Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) Reduced Moisture vegetables and fruits.  The company will occupy the former Arvin Sango plant on Cooper Avenue employing up to 30 full time employees and approximately 100 seasonal employees. 

Cascade Specialties, Inc., a subsidiary of the large Indian agriculture company, Jain Irrigation Systems, Limited is building this new facility to produce IQF Reduced Moisture vegetables and other related products under its division, White Oak Frozen Foods.  The IQF Reduced Moisture process incorporates a continuous drying and freezing technology that results in high quality Reduced Moisture frozen vegetables that provide superior product, flavor and texture.

The move to the larger site increases White Oak Frozen Foods’ handling, processing and warehousing capacity.  Established in 2002, two key founding members, Harold Archibald and Dan Wilkinson will continue to operate the plant.

“Working with the Merced Office of Economic Development and TeamMerced has been outstanding,” stated Archibald.  Developer and building owner Jones Development first approached the City through Realtor Lou Ginise, SIOR of Grubb&Ellis | Pearson Commercial.  Both noted that City’s Economic Development Team was responsive; exceeding their expectations. 

White Oak Frozen Foods’ expansion with a modern facility represents multi -million dollar investment into the community.  “We welcome White Oak Frozen Foods, but also Jain Irrigation Systems to Merced,” stated City Manager John Bramble.

Speaking on the development, Dan Wilkinson of White Oak stated, “We are pleased to bring a growth oriented business to Merced area that benefits from the good supply of raw materials locally grown.  Building improvements are underway at the new site. We intend to open the plant by end of 2012”.

Jain Irrigation Systems, Ltd. is an international company with a presence in 120 countries and 7,500 employees.  In June 2012, Jain Irrigation was declared a winner of the prestigious “G20” Challenge in Inclusive Business Innovation. 

Frank Quintero | Director of Economic Development

City of Merced  | 678 W. 18th Street | Merced, CA 95340

1-800-723-4788

(209) 385-6827 office

(209) 388-7612 pc fax

quinterof@cityofmerced.org

www.cityofmerced.org

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