Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation

EDC highlights Knauss Snack Food Company in PR Campaign

Aug 9, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Crystal France
Director of Marketing/PR
Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation
276.403.5940
cfrance@yesmartinsville.com


EDC highlights Knauss Snack Food Company in PR Campaign
~ Knauss Snack Foods anticipates record growth in next 12 months ~

Martinsville, VA (Aug. 9, 2006) – This release is part of the public relations campaign established by the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation to highlight local industry’s growth and successes.

Knauss Snack Food Company is featured in August. Their story is below.

Knauss Snack Food Company opened in Quakertown, PA in 1991. By 2002, they had grown close to capacity. When the county denied them a variance to expand in their current location, company officials began exploring other locations on the east coast. They considered locations in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. After an extensive search process, they narrowed their focus on Marion County, South Carolina, which had an almost 16% unemployment rate and could provide Knauss with the quantity workforce they needed.

“At the 11th hour, Henry County called and asked us to take a look at them,” states Knauss executive Brian Fleming. They did and were pleased with the findings. Henry County’s unemployment was also nearly 16% and the general quality of life found here was attractive to the search team.

Knauss had to choose between two communities, both of which seemed to be a perfect fit for the company. “I asked to meet with recent industry leaders in South Carolina. I asked them a long list of questions,” remarks Fleming. “What I found out was that they had quantity workforce available, but not really quality.”

“I came to Martinsville-Henry County and assembled a similar group of industry leaders and asked them the same questions,” Fleming continues. “What I found here was that Martinsville-Henry County provided quality and quantity. That’s what ultimately tipped the scales.”

Knauss began operations in their new building in the Patriot Center in December of 2004. They began with 15 employees and have grown to over 140 employees. Since opening, the company has increased sales by over 20% each year. Fleming anticipates record growth over the next 12 months.

“We still find that our workforce is very good here. Obviously, it’s different now that unemployment has dropped from 16% to 6%, but we have loyal employees who stick with us.”

Personally, Fleming loves this area. “People here are genuinely friendly, happy people who wave even though they don’t know you. Everything I enjoy doing is within my reach. I will retire here because of the quality of life offered.”

“Knauss Snack Food Company is just one example of how business works in Martinsville-Henry County,” states Mark Heath, President/CEO of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. “We’re proud that they’re here and hope to help them grow in coming years.”

The mission of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation is to create new job opportunities and expand the tax base for the area. The organization strives to support and develop local industry, as well as market Martinsville-Henry County globally as an exceptional place to live, work and play.

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