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Port of Walla Walla Recruits Nation's Largest Independent Private Label Juice Processor to the Walla Walla Valley

Port of Walla Walla Commission President, Fred Bennett, announced today Cliffstar Corporation, headquartered in Dunkirk, New York, will open a juice manufacturing plant in Walla Walla, Washington.

Cliffstar Corporation, the nation's largest independent private label juice processor, supplies juices for many customers in the United States including leading grocery, mass merchandisers as well as food service companies and major retailers in Canada.

The Port of Walla Walla has agreed to purchase the former Agri-Frozen Foods processing facility, undertake certain plant improvements and lease the facility to Cliffstar with an option to purchase. The Port's investment will exceed $1.6 million.

Sean P. McGirr, Cliffstar's President & Chief Operating Officer said, "The Walla Walla plant will help us serve our growing customer base in the Pacific Northwest. The building's availability along with the favorable economic development package put forth by the Port and other community groups were factors that influenced Cliffstar to locate in Walla Walla."

Fred Bennett, Port Commission President said, "We anticipate Cliffstar will commence operations this Fall with approximately 20 full time employees. We are hopeful that within two to three years employment will reach 100. Securing Cliffstar's manufacturing plant has been the Port's top recruitment priority due to the fact that Cliffstar's labor force is predominantly made up of year around fulltime workers."

In addition to the Port's financial commitment, Team Walla Walla, a public/private economic development partnership, pledged $35,000 and Fluor Hanford pledged $15,000 to help offset Cliffstar's costs associated with opening the Walla Walla plant.

Eugene W. Bailen, Cliffstar's Executive Vice President of Operations said, "During our recent visit to tour the proposed plant site and review the Port's economic development package, we were surprised and pleased to learn of Team Walla Walla's and Fluor Hanford's financial commitment. The positive reception we received from the Port, Team Walla Walla, Fluor Hanford, Walla Walla County, City of Walla Walla and Walla Walla Community College convinced us that Walla Walla was a good place to do business."

Bill Clemens, President of Team Walla Walla said, "Creating new family wage jobs has been our organization's focus since its inception. Cliffstar, with its year around employment opportunities will strengthen and diversify Walla Walla's economy."

Jerry Schneider, Manager Fluor Hanford Asset Transition said, "Assisting the Walla Walla community in recruiting Cliffstar is part of Fluor Hanford's ongoing commitment to diversify the region's economy."

Cliffstar currently operates manufacturing plants in Dunkirk, New York; Joplin, Missouri; Greer, South Carolina; and Fontana, California. The company was established in 1899 when Meyer Star began making wine in the concord grape belt of Chautaugua County, New York. It changed its name to Cliffstar in 1981 and has evolved from its wine making roots to become a leader in packaging fruit juices of various sizes under private labels, proprietary brands and co-packing arrangements.

The Agri-Frozen plant encompasses 205,300 square feet and was operated as a frozen food processing facility for corn, carrots, peas and white onions. Agri-Frozen, a subsidiary of Pro-Fac Cooperative, Inc. closed the Walla Walla plant in June 2001 due to a decline in industrial frozen vegetable sales and pricing. At its peak the plant employed 66 fulltime workers and 300 seasonal workers.

The Port of Walla Walla is the lead economic development agency for Walla Walla County. The Port's primary mission is the creation and retention of family wage jobs. The Port is governed by three elected Commissioners, Fred Bennett, Ken Jantz and Paul Schneidmiller. The Port has 15 employees.

The Port of Walla Walla receives funding from Washington State Office of Trade & Economic Development to assist in its economic development mission.

For more information contact:

James M. Kuntz
Executive Director
Port of Walla Walla
(509)525-3100
jk@portwallawalla.com

See also:

Walla Walla Union Bulletin Article: 05/02/02
Juice company plans move to WW

Tri-Cities Herald Article: 05/03/02
N.Y. company finds Walla Walla online

Walla Walla Union Bulletin Editorial: 05/06/02
Port's risk is good gamble for community