United States Cold Storage to Create 50 Jobs in Duplin County | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Press Release:

Distribution Services Provider to Consumer Foods Industry Will Invest $21.6 Million in Expanded Operations

    Raleigh, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) announced today that United States Cold Storage, Inc. will create 50 jobs in Duplin County over the next five years as it expands its distribution and warehouse operations there. The company plans to invest $21.6 million at its facility in Warsaw over that time.

    "United States Cold Storage is a leading logistics service provider to our state's consumer foods industry, and this expansion has far-reaching benefits for Duplin County and beyond," said Governor McCrory. "The continued growth and success of this 127-year-old company means good jobs for our economy."

    Founded in 1889 as the American Ice Company, U.S. Cold Storage is a leader in refrigerated storage and logistics. The New Jersey-based company currently operates 36 facilities across 12 states, employing a total workforce of nearly 2,500. Its customers include leading consumer foods businesses. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Swire & Sons, a global logistics provider headquartered in London, England.

    "Consumer foods and beverage manufacturing is a $20 billion industry in North Carolina, and logistics providers like United States Cold Storage are critical to our efforts to keep this economic driver growing," said Commerce Secretary Skvarla. "About 35 percent of the products this company handles are destined for overseas markets, which helps connect North Carolina-produced foods to hungry consumers around the world."

    U.S. Cold Storage's facility in Duplin County, one of three North Carolina locations the company maintains, has been in operation since 1996. The company's North Carolina workforce is approximately 70 people. U.S. Cold Storage plans to add logistics and distribution, customer care, management and other employees. The company's expanded workforce will generate an annual payroll of more than $1.5 million.

    "We greatly appreciate the efforts of the state, county and local community," said Jesse Hooks, regional vice president at U.S. Cold Storage. "The successful collaboration helps us to maintain and grow our refrigerated warehouse business operations in Duplin County."

    The project was made possible in part by a performance-based One North Carolina Fund grant of up to $120,000. One NC awards assist local governments in attracting business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for funds. One NC grants require and are contingent on financial matches from local governments.

    A $300,000 Building Reuse grant will help ready the U.S Cold Storage's facility for operation. The Building Reuse program is administered by N.C. Commerce's Rural Economic Development team.

    Numerous entities partnered with N.C. Commerce and EDPNC in supporting United States Cold Storage's expansion. They include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, NCWorks, Duplin County, the Duplin County Economic Development Commission and the Town of Warsaw.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov