Kemin may move if expansion can't be funded
hometown of Des Moines that will enable it to increase production
to meet the growing demand for lutein and bring its administrative
locations together under one roof.
Sales growth for lutein has been steady and is forecast to continue, communications manager Craig Maltby told NutraIngredients-USA.com. By investing in new equipment at this stage the company is ensuring that production can meet increasing demand for the carotenoid from multivitamin manufacturers.
Even so, investment in Kemin's lutein production only accounts for a fraction of the planned budget. The lion's share is to be devoted to bringing the office-based workforce under one roof - a move that would bring them closer together and create a better collaborative environment for team managers, said Maltby.
The company is looking at a timescale of two to three years to see its expansion plans come to fruition. At the moment, however, it is hoping that the state and local government will facilitate the project by providing financial assistance to the tune of $5 million - and if the money cannot be found the company may look at relocating elsewhere, the Des Moines Register reports company president Chris Nelson as saying.
Kemin Industries currently has 900 employees worldwide, 250 of which are located in Des Moines. The expansion program will mean the creation of 40 new jobs over the next five years.
"We are a significant employer in Des Moines," said Maltby. "We continue to grow the payroll and tax contributions".
Regarding the potential relocation, he was not able to reveal any likely sites. "We remain confident that we will be able to do business with the city and state and procure a constructive agreement for all parties," he said.
