Greenville, Miss., Mar. 19 - To increase production and meet demand for its popular rice products, Mars Food US recently announced plans to invest $10 million in the expansion of its Uncle Ben's® plant in Greenville, Miss. throughout 2008.
This investment is part of Mars Food’s commitment to economic development in the Delta region, as well as designed to fulfill the expanding consumer demand for convenient, healthy, family-friendly foods.
"Expansion of the Uncle Ben's plant in Greenville is welcome news and I am very pleased that Mars Food US has again demonstrated its commitment to economic growth in the Mississippi Delta region,” said Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. “By investing in innovation I know this outstanding operation will continue to thrive and provide good, stable jobs for Mississippians in an essential economic sector."
Uncle Ben’s® Ready Rice® product line launched in 2004 and has quickly expanded to include 14 varieties. Touted as a simple side dish for families that are time-crunched but want to enjoy a complete, satisfying meal together, the Ready Rice® pouches are microwavable and ready to eat in 90 seconds. The latest products on the market are the Uncle Ben’s® Ready Whole Grain Medley™ varieties – available in Brown & Wild, Santa Fe, and Vegetable Harvest flavors.
“Our expansion of the Greenville plant shows our long term commitment to create job security and economic advancement in the Delta community,” said Vincent Howell, president, Mars Foods US. “Our dedication to building a start-of-the-art facility will allow us to increase production capacity for our Uncle Ben’s products and therefore allow us to celebrate the timeless goodness of our rice with families across America, which begins with our family in Greenville.”
Howell added, “We are grateful for the support of the local and state governments in Mississippi. Governor Haley Barbour, who visited our site in 2007, and the Mississippi Economic Development Authority have offered valuable assistance in order to make this reinvestment in the state’s economy and our business a reality.”
"Mars Food US again has shown their confidence in Mississippi's growing economy by investing millions into innovation," said Gray Swoope, Executive Director, Mississippi Development Authority. "We appreciate their commitment to this region and to the state."
The Greenville plant expansion will not only double the capacity of the 90-second Ready Rice® line of products, it will also allow for increased innovation in other Uncle Ben’s® product lines.