The company, which is a subsidiary of Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods, Inc., supplies Mexican quick service restaurant chains with tortillas, tacos, chips and flatbreads. The facility will include a new corn cook system. Production capacity is estimated to grow to 3 million lbs. from 2.7 million lbs. of finished product per week, IECD reported.
"This is the second major expansion for Mexican Original this year – we also purchased Don Julio Foods, with its primary line of products designed for the retail segment," said Wayne Beach, vice president of Mexican Original sales and marketing. "Don Julio brand products are now available in select Midwest markets with those products being manufactured at the Portland facility. This expansion project will enable Mexican Original to support additional demand in core markets."
Mexican Original currently employs more than 440 workers in Indiana and about 1,530 across the United States. The company will begin hiring supervisors, operators and general production associates immediately. The facility expansion will create an additional 13 new jobs by 2016. IEDC offered Tyson Mexican Original up to $50,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. The city of Portland will consider additional incentives.
Tyson Mexican Original acquired the assets of Clearfield, Utah-based Don Julio Foods in February. Don Julio produces tortillas and salty snacks under the Don Julio Authentic and Clover Club brands. The deal included all brands marketed by Don Julio, equipment and related assets.
