INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 18, 2015) – Heartland Food Products Group, a producer and marketer of low calorie sweeteners, drink mixes, coffee and nutritional beverages, announced plans today to expand its operations here, creating up to 187 new jobs by 2020. “Indiana is home to the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the country,” said Governor Mike Pence. “Every day, Hoosiers are making products – from cars and trucks to sweeteners and coffees – that are used around the world. Thanks to our state’s pro-growth economic climate and skilled workforce, companies like Heartland continue to choose Indiana for job creation because we are a state that works for business.” Heartland will invest approximately $26 million to increase production capacity at its Indianapolis facility. In August, the Carmel-headquartered company announced plans to acquire the Splenda® low calorie sweetener brand from McNeil Nutritionals LLC, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. Significant work on the expansion is expected to commence during the first quarter of 2016. The company, which also has production and distribution operations in the Netherlands, currently employs 450 associates in Indiana. Last year, Heartland announced plans to create up to 160 new jobs by the end of 2017, and is exceeding its goals as the company anticipates meeting the prior job commitment next year. This expansion, in addition to the company’s originally-planned 160 new jobs, will create jobs across Heartland’s Indianapolis manufacturing plant, distribution center and Carmel corporate office. Interested applicants can learn more at http://www.heartlandsweeteners.com/careers.html. “Acquiring the Splenda® brand business not only fits well within our strategy to offer the very best tasting products to sweeten foods and beverages without adding calories, but the acquisition also creates new jobs and career opportunities supporting economic growth within our community,” said Ted Gelov, chairman and chief executive officer at Heartland. Founded in 2004, Heartland produces drink mixes and low calorie sweeteners, supplying the majority of U.S. retailers with their store brand sucralose, stevia, saccharin, aspartame and monk fruit-based sweeteners. The company was one of the first liquid enhancing product producers to introduce electrolyte enhanced sport formulas and also offers consumer-preferred flavors for leading retailers. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered TC Heartland (dba Heartland Food Products Group) up to $1,750,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $150,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Carmel supports the project and the city of Indianapolis will consider additional incentives at the request of Develop Indy, a business unit of the Indy Chamber. “Indianapolis has earned the reputation of being an ideal place to start and grow a business,” said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. “I am pleased to welcome Heartland Food Products Group to the extensive list of companies that are choosing to invest and expand here, and I am delighted that this investment will create 187 new jobs for our region’s talented workforce.” At 4.4 percent, Indiana’s unemployment rate has dropped to a 14-year low while the Hoosier State has added more than 54,100 private sector jobs in the past year, including 12,000 manufacturing jobs. Indiana continues to have the highest concentration of private sector manufacturing jobs in the country. “Today’s news is certainly sweet for one of the world’s top producers of sweeteners, but it’s also good for Carmel, where Heartland Food Products Group is headquartered and has become one of our rising stars in our growing list of corporate headquarters,” said Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard. “We congratulate Heartland and look forward to watching them continue to grow in the future.” About Heartland Food Products Group Based outside of Indianapolis, Heartland Food Products Group is a global leader in the production of low calorie sweetener products, creamers, beverage concentrates, coffee and nutritional drinks. Visit Heartland at www.heartlandfpg.com. About IEDC The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, focusing on helping companies grow in and locate to the state. Governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mike Pence, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
