Candy Giant Perfetti van Melle to Add Production, 70 Jobs in Northern Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 30, 2017) –
Gov. Matt Bevin today announced candy maker Perfetti van Melle USA,
which produces Airheads, Mentos and other popular brands, will expand
its manufacturing plant near Erlanger with an $11 million investment
bringing 70 new full-time jobs.
"This announcement of new jobs and investment at Perfetti van Melle in
Boone County is great news for the company, the Northern Kentucky
region and the commonwealth as a whole," Gov. Bevin said. "PVM
continues to distinguish itself as an important global player and as a
key member of Kentucky's food and beverage industry. We're pleased to
see the company's continued commitment to the community, and we
congratulate them on their ongoing success."
The expansion includes improvements to the facility, purchase of new
equipment, assembly of the new production lines and the hiring of 70
new employees in 2017, approximately 50 of whom will be Kentucky
residents. PVM sales saw double-digit increases across the past four
years. This project will support that and future demand by growing the
facility's manufacturing and packaging capacity by nearly 50 percent.
"We are excited to be expanding our Erlanger production capabilities,
and equally excited about adding to the job growth of the Northern
Kentucky area," said Perfetti van Melle CEO Mehmet Yuksek. "Perfetti
van Melle continues to be a growth leader in the non-chocolate, mint
and gum category of the confectionery industry. While we are certainly
pleased about this good news for our company, we're equally pleased
that our success contributes to our region's growth."
Perfetti van Melle USA, part of Amsterdam-based Perfetti van Melle,
one of the world's largest manufacturers and marketers of
confectionery and chewing gum with nearly $3 billion in sales
annually. The company has operations in 38 countries and creates
imaginative products and brands sold in more than 150 countries.
The Northern Kentucky facility opened in 1984. The operation, which
currently employs about 300 people, is the company's North American
headquarters and remains its sole manufacturing operation in the US.
Sen. John Schickel, of Union, said the project reflects on Kentucky's
ability to provide a strong business environment.
"Perfetti van Melle's expansion and job creation in Northern Kentucky
is yet another testament to our state's growing economy and
business-friendly atmosphere," he said. "I am pleased to welcome this
company's expansion to our region, and I look forward to their
continual success here in Boone County."
Campbell County Judge-Executive and Tri-ED Board Chair Steve Pendery
recalled the company's success in the area over the past 30-plus
years.
"Perfetti van Melle has expanded multiple times since their initial
location in Northern Kentucky in the 1980s and the company is a
testament to the food, flavoring and manufacturing strengths we have
here," Judge Pendery said. "Perfetti is also a strong corporate
citizen for our region and we are proud to have their North American
headquarters in our community."
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in March
preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $500,000
through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The
performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its
investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax
credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
In addition, PVM can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills
Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive
no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost
customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal 2016, the
Kentucky Skills Network provided training for nearly 95,000
Kentuckians and 5,000 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
Information on Kentucky's economic development efforts and programs is
available at www.ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic
Development can also join the discussion on Facebook at or follow on
Twitter at . Watch the Cabinet's "This is My Kentucky" video on
YouTube.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state
agency responsible for encouraging new jobs and investment in the
state. New capital investment announced in Kentucky in 2015 totaled a
state record $5.1 billion, spurring more than 16,000 projected new
jobs. Information on available industrial properties, workforce
development assistance, incentive programs, community profiles, small
business development and other economic development resources is
available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.