CITY, TRIDEC AND WELCH’S DEVELOP STRATEGY
Working Together to Market Plant
January 26, 2006 – The City of Kennewick, TRIDEC and Welch’s have come together to develop plans for marketing the company’s Kennewick plant which will be closed in February.
Welch’s has hired Trammell Crow Company, a large commercial real estate service company with a corporate food group. “We reviewed the qualifications of a number of firms and selected Trammell Crow because of their experience in our industry and their global reach,” said Chuck Evans, director of manufacturing for Welch’s. “Trammell Crow has marketed many plants similar to ours in Kennewick.”
Welch’s Kennewick plant, located at 10 East Bruneau, is comprised of two buildings totaling 210,000 square feet on 7.5 acres. The plant was built in l941.
The City, TRIDEC and Welch’s have agreed on a marketing strategy. “Our goal is to find a buyer for the plant who will create jobs in our community,” said Mayor James R. Beaver. “The City, TRIDEC and Welch’s all are working in concert to achieve that goal. We appreciate the approach that Welch’s is taking to market the building and the cooperative way that the company is working with us and TRIDEC,” he said.
Over the next few months, potential buyers will be coming to Kennewick to inspect the plant and consider our region, said Carl Adrian, President & CEO of TRIDEC. “We will put our ‘best foot forward’ and provide potential buyers with information about the positive environment they will have if they choose to operate the plant here,” he said.
"We believe the ideal use of the plant is for food manufacturing,” said Jeff Counsell, Corporate Food Group Senior Vice President with Trammel Crow. “The plant is in good condition, the workforce in the area is outstanding, and the business climate in the community is favorable, so we have many positives going for us.”
Trammell Crow’s initial focus will be marketing the plant “as it is,” Evans continued. “The City and TRIDEC agree that this approach provides the best opportunity for a successful outcome for the community and Welch’s.”
Welch’s is owned by 1,309 growers who raise concord and Niagara grapes in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Washington state and Ontario. The company currently employs about 1,440 people at its manufacturing facilities and its headquarters and technology center in Concord and Billerica, Mass.
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Welch’s is the world’s leading marketer of Concord and Niagara grape-based products, including grape juice and jelly. The company produces a variety of other fruit-based products, including 100% juices, juice cocktails, and drinks in the following forms: single serve, bottled, refrigerated, and frozen and shelf-stable concentrates. In addition, Welch’s produces a number of fruit spread products under both the Welch’s and BAMA brand names. Welch’s Web site can be found at http://www.welchs.com.
