Roskam Baking Company to add 1,500 jobs

KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) - Roskam Baking Company will add 1,500 jobs in the next five years.

The Kentwood company, located at 32nd Street and Shaffer Avenue, also plans to invest $60.5 million in capital, primarily in machinery and equipment to leverage manufacturing contracts with new and existing customers.

Roskam makes croutons, cereal, snack mixes and other dry products for major food companies.

Michigan estimates the company will generate 3,168 jobs in the state by 2019.

The average weekly wage for these new positions will be $509. Health care benefits also will be offered.

Kentwood city leaders say they are ecstatic about the news - Roskam is one of the bigger employers in the community.

"(The positions are) going to be, on the average, about $26,000 a year, $12 and something. Good jobs. They'll be jobs that may represent secondary income or people who have no income right now," Kentwood Mayor Richard Root said. "I think a lot will be involved in the actual processing and manufacturing of different food stuffs."

The jobs will make a huge difference for local families, he added.

However, the Kentwood City Commission still has to give approval. The vote is slated for July 7.

Roskam's announcement is tied into the 4,500 jobs that are coming to West Michigan after the Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved $114 million in tax credits, making the $145 million investments possible.

In addition to Roskam, the following companies will expand:

* Farmers Insurance in Caledonia Township will add 1,600 jobs
* Roskam Bakery in Kentwood will add 1,500 jobs
* Energetx Composites LLC in Holland will add 1,068 jobs
* Holland Awning Company in Holland will add 270 jobs
* Johnson Technology in Muskegon will add 74 jobs

The MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $20.1 million over 10 years.

“We appreciate the assistance of the Right Place and the MEDC in obtaining this credit to help us continue to be competitive in our industry,” stated John Lallo, vice president of Roskam Baking Company, said in a statement released to the media.