Dinuba, California-headquartered Ruiz Foods has announced the second phase of expansion at its Denison, Texas, manufacturing facility. When complete, it is expected that 150 to 175 new jobs will be created.
Earlier this month, the producer of frozen Mexican food products purchased a former Heinz frozen food processing plant in Florence, South Carolina. The company is also enlarging its corporate offices in Dinuba, situated in the heart of California’s Central San Joaquin Valley.
“Our expansion strategy included establishing a manufacturing facility on the East Coast [of the United States],” said Rachel P. Cullen, president and chief executive officer. “Our products are in high demand with significant growth on the East Coast.”
Once the Florence facility is renovated and equipped, initial manufacturing operations will begin in 2015. Over the next several years the company expects to employ up to 500 workers in South Carolina.
This year Ruiz Foods is celebrating its 50th birthday. Fred Ruiz and his father, Louis, co-founded the company in 1964, selling enchiladas, burritos and tamales to local “mom and pop” grocery stores in the small rural community of Tulare, California.
“The recipes were based on favorites made by my grandma, Rosie,” said Kim Ruiz Beck, chairman and third generation Ruiz family member. “Today, we include all these family favorites as part of our flagship El Monterey brand.”
In addition to El Monterey, which ranks as the top selling brand of frozen Mexican food in the USA, the company also manufactures snack products under the Tornados label.
