Wrigley to Expand Gainesville Facility

Wrigley to Expand Gainesville Facility

Increase in Production Capacity to Create Almost 200 jobs

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company will expand its manufacturing facility in Gainesville , Georgia , adding nearly 200 jobs and investing $48 million in capital improvements.

“One of Georgia 's great strengths is its ability to help existing businesses grow and create more jobs,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “Wrigley's decision to expand its Hall County facility is the result of the state and local community embracing and supporting a valued member of Georgia 's business community.”

“Our Georgia facility has been an important part of Wrigley for more than 30 years, and this expansion will boost our employment there to more than 1,000,” said Darrell Splithoff, senior vice president – worldwide supply chain.  “A talented workforce, a supportive business environment and a great track record of growth in Gainesville , make Georgia a logical and attractive place to increase our investment.”

The Flowery Branch manufacturing facility adjacent to Interstate 985 first opened in 1971 and has featured several expansion projects over three decades.  The chewing gum maker currently employs approximately 800 workers in Hall County , making it the company's largest production plant in the United States .  State, local and company officials joined together for the expansion announcement at a press conference this morning at the Hall County plant.

“Clearly Wrigley is an important part of our local economy,” said Kit Dunlap, president/CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.  “We couldn't be happier about the expansion and look forward to working with Wrigley for many, many years to come.”

“This is a great partnership between the state, local government and an outstanding corporate citizen,” said Craig Lesser, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.  “It says a lot about our workforce and business climate when companies already here choose to expand.”

The Wrigley Company is a recognized leader in the confectionery field and the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of chewing gum, with global sales of more than $4 billion.  The company markets its world-famous brands in more than 180 countries.  Three of these brands – Wrigley's Spearmint®, Juicy Fruit®, and Altoids® – have heritages stretching back more than a century.  Other brands include Doublemint®, Life Savers®, Big Red®, Boomer®, Pim Pom®, Winterfresh®, Extra®, Freedent®, Hubba Bubba®, Orbit®, Excel®, Creme Savers®, Eclipse®, Airwaves®, Alpine®, Solano®, Sugus®, Cool Air®, and P.K. ®.

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