BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Schwan’s Company, a major U.S.-based food company and subsidiary of South Korea’s CJ Foods, has announced its decision to further invest in South Dakota by purchasing 142 acres of land in Foundation Park, South Dakota, and building a 700,000-square-foot Asian-style food manufacturing facility.
Initially, the company announced plans for a new factory in Sioux Falls in 2021 that is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars and add more than 600 new employees. Now, the company has additionally announced plans to open a regional office in downtown Sioux Falls to support its continued expansion and operations at the new manufacturing facility. Initial plans for the regional office will add 50 high-paying jobs, with the potential to grow employment to up to 100 once the production facility is complete.
The company is also working with the State of South Dakota and the City of Sioux Falls to design a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility that Schwan’s will build at its new manufacturing facility that will enable the company to discharge wastewater into the city with minimal impact to the city’s current operations.
“We are grateful to state and local officials in South Dakota for moving this project forward so significantly, which will ultimately help meet the needs of our retail and foodservice customers,” said Schwan’s outgoing CEO Dimitrios P. Smyrnios. “This project will significantly increase Schwan’s production capacity, allowing us to continue to support our market share-leading products. Bibigo “It will establish our brand in the Asian food category and drive future innovation and growth. I would like to personally thank Governor Kristi Noem and her team for their leadership and commitment to our plan. Without her unwavering support, this project would not have been possible. It is clear to me that South Dakota is open for business.”
Schwan’s incoming CEO Brian Seig agreed: “Our investment in this world-class Asian-inspired food facility in South Dakota will help strengthen our position in one of the fastest-growing food categories in the U.S. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with state and local officials to build a facility that will benefit South Dakota residents and our affiliated businesses.”
CJ Foods CEO Minseok Park added, “The U.S. market continues to provide strong growth for CJ Foods, and the ability to continue to expand our product portfolio to meet growing consumer demand is critical to our strategy. This facility will allow us to further accelerate the growth of K-Food and other Asian cuisines. We appreciate the support of local and state officials and look forward to contributing to our new base in South Dakota.”
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and other officials said they value the investment Schwan’s is making in South Dakota.
“Schwan’s recognizes the excellent business environment South Dakota offers,” she said. “I know their confidence in South Dakota is not misplaced, and I appreciate their additional investment.”
“When we began working with Schwan’s several years ago, we never imagined this project would grow to the magnitude that it has,” said Deputy Commissioner Chris Silken. “It is thanks to Governor Noem’s leadership and Schwan’s recognition of South Dakota’s advantages that we have come to this announcement.”
“We are honored to work with Schwan’s and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to help move this project across the finish line with additional investment,” said Bob Mandt, president of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. “We look forward to seeing the project moving dirt.”
The new manufacturing facility will primarily produce Asian-inspired food products for Schwan’s No. 1 Korean food brand. Bibigo, It utilizes state-of-the-art automated production lines. Once complete, employees at the facility will focus on producing a wide range of Asian-inspired meals, side dishes, snacks and appetizers across shelf-stable and frozen food categories. The new manufacturing campus will also include a warehouse and distribution center, shipping and receiving docks and office space.
Schwan’s Company
Schwan’s, based in Minnesota, is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of high-quality food products available through retail grocery and foodservice channels. The company’s popular brands include: Red Baron®, Tony’s®, Hearth and fire™, Big Daddy’s™, Villa Prima® and Freschetta® pizza, Mrs. Smith® and Edwards® Dessert and Bibigo™ and Pagoda® Asian-inspired foods. The company is a subsidiary of global lifestyle company CJ Foods. For more information about Schwan’s, visit www.schwanscompany.com.
