LANSING, MI — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) that SnackCraft, a Greece-based snack food manufacturer owned by Unismack S.A., is establishing its US headquarters in Kentwood, MI with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund.
“This investment by SnackCraft will create long-term economic opportunity in West Michigan’s agribusiness sector and build on our efforts to grow Michigan’s economy, create good-paying jobs, and invest in every region of our great state,” Whitmer said. “Our future is bright, and investments like this one by SnackCraft will help us continue moving our state forward.”
With the support of a $1 million performance-based grant from the Michigan Business Development Program, the project is expected to create up to 185 well-paying jobs and generate a total capital investment of $41.75 million.
SnackCraft’s US headquarters and manufacturing facility — led by Joseph Riley, CEO — will fill the former Kerry Foods Facility in Kentwood. The company specializes in R&D and high-quality, allergen- and artificial ingredient-free natural baked snacks. This includes crackers and other baked goods made from natural ingredients such as lentil flour, chickpea flour, vegetable flours, seeds and more.
Once up and running, SnackCraft’s facility will serve as a co-packer and contract manufacturer for an array of snack products including baked crackers and tortilla chips. The new headquarters will also house an innovation center to aid customers with new product R&D, warehousing and third-party logistics for consumers.
Additionally, the project will result in new relationships with Michigan suppliers, boosting growth in the state’s agribusiness and corporate and professional service industries.
“As we looked into expanding our manufacturing capacity and location for our company in the US, the Grand Rapids region seemed like an obvious choice,” said Dimitrios Stratakis, Unismack founder and CEO. “There is an abundance of talent and resources here in West Michigan to help us in the next phase of our journey and we’re thankful to the team at the MEDC for their support, insights and guidance along with their partners at The Right Place.”
The Right Place, a regional economic development organization in the Greater Grand Rapids Region, will support the project with in-kind services.
The addition of SnackCraft to Michigan’s economy continues the state’s support of its agribusiness industry, noted in the support of other companies including Hudsonville Ice Cream and Welch Foods.
“Michigan is quickly becoming known worldwide as the place to be for new and expanding food and agricultural businesses. We’re thrilled SnackCraft has chosen to bring its global presence here and call Michigan home,” said Gary McDowell, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Thanks to continued investment and incentives, SnackCraft will help create an estimated 185 high-wage jobs for Michiganders while creating new opportunities for our famers. Snack Craft is a wonderful example what can happen when we work together to grow Michigan’s diverse food and agriculture sector.”
