South Raleigh News

Veetee Foods, Inc., known as Veetee Food Group in the United Kingdom, will establish a major production plant in Johnston County, creating 200 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The global food company specializing in shelf-stable meals will invest $35.7 million in Selma.

"It’s great to see another international company like Veetee Foods decide that North Carolina is the perfect place to expand their presence in the United States,” said Governor Cooper. “Our state’s talented workforce and worker training systems, along with our infrastructure and transportation networks give companies the confidence they seek in a world-class business location like Johnston County.”

The Veetee Group, founded in 1986 with operations in India and the U.K., is a food processing company that gained early success producing rice products such as dry rice and ready-to-heat rice. It has since expanded into a wide range of ambient convenience foods.

Veetee employs approximately 1,000 people worldwide but its operations in the United States have been relatively small until today’s announcement.

The company has been expanding its product range and brand portfolio with the aim of reimagining the shelf-stable segment. Veetee’s steam-filtered microwave rice trays have been offered in U.S. stores for several years. Last year, it launched its NoodleHead product in Europe and the U.S., and this year introduced various HungryHeads lines across multiple ambient foods categories including PastaHead and MacNCheeseHead products, several of which will soon reach American stores.

At the heart of these new launches are a focus on flavor, quality, taste, and convenience designed to meet consumers’ snacking and main meal needs for many everyday occasions.

The company’s project in Selma will establish a plant capable of cooking rice, pasta, noodles, spaghetti and other foods using many domestically sourced ingredients and employing technology developed over 20 years at its U.K. factory.

“We are delighted to see our ambitious expansion vision reach the USA, and we see Johnston County as our perfect partner,” said Moni and Rajiv Varma, Chairman and Managing Director respectively. “We are humbled by this opportunity and are equally excited to unleash a wide range of delicious meals that families across the country will no doubt enjoy!”

“We welcome Veetee Foods to North Carolina,” said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “This company started from entrepreneurial roots, passion, and a pursuit of product excellence that is the hallmark of our state’s most successful companies.”

The North Carolina Department of Commerce led state support for Veetee during its site evaluation process.

The new jobs will bring an annual payroll impact to the community of nearly $12 million per year.

Veetee Foods’ project will be facilitated partly by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over 12 years this grant is estimated to grow North Carolina's economy by $586.3 million. Using a formula based on new tax revenues generated by these jobs, JDIG authorizes potential reimbursement up to $996,750 over 12 years after performance verification by relevant departments confirming job creation targets are met.

The project's projected return on investment is 90 percent; meaning for every dollar spent potentially costing public funds; $1.90 returns via state revenue even after grant reimbursements occur.

“We’re excited to welcome Veetee Foods to Johnston County,” said N.C Senator Benton Sawrey.“Their decision shows confidence globally about North Carolina being an ideal growth-oriented location."

“Many local regional-state organizations-leaders worked hard securing this investment," said N.C Representative Larry Strickland."We look forward helping Veetee connect further within our area starting operations here."

Partnering with N.C Department Commerce-Economic Development Partnership were General Assembly Community College System Workforce Solutions Division Johnston County Town-Selma Economic Office.

###