May 9, 2011
Hurricane, Utah – Litehouse Foods Pours on the Taste at Grand Opening
Putting the traditional ribbon cutting aside, Governor Herbert joined Litehouse President/CEO Jim Frank in a “Dressing Pour” with a five gallon pail of the signature Litehouse Bleu Cheese Dressing poured over a large bowl of salad. “This is the first time I’ve ever been to a dressing pour,” Herbert laughed.
With these festivities, the opening of the new Litehouse Foods facility was launched. Guest speakers included John Shaw, Director of Operations; invocation by Pastor Rick Nerud of Calvary Chapel, St. George; Jim Frank, Litehouse President/CEO; Hurricane Mayor Tom Hirischi and the Honorable Governor Herbert.
The 89,000 square foot facility is scheduled to begin operations on May 16, with full capacity by July 13, according to John Shaw, Operations Director. The facility is being fitted to produce portion packs of salad dressing initially, followed by additional items as production lines are added. “What has been accomplished in the last 16 weeks could not have happened without the great contractors and services available in Washington County and the surrounding area.”
In addition to the many area contractors, special thanks from Jim Frank went to the Ash Creek Sewer District; Scott Hirischi, Director of the Washington County Economic Development Council; and Jeff Edwards, President/CEO EDC Utah. According to Frank, ”Litehouse was originally attracted to the Southern Utah region for logistics reasons, which was enhanced by the willingness of the State to work with us in the way of postperformance tax credit incentive over the next ten years. Litehouse, which has headquarters in Sandpoint, Idaho is also proud of job creation in all of its locations. Bringing 100 jobs to the people of Hurricane and Washington County is something we are very pleased to do.”
Litehouse is an employee owned company, with beginnings in the Hawkins family restaurant in Hope, Idaho over 50 years ago. What started as Bleu Cheese and Ranch dressing now includes a multitude of dressings and sauces, veggie and fruit dips, caramel dip, freeze dried herbs, apple cider, lemonade, kefir smoothies and hard shell chocolate.
For more information, contact Roxie Lowther #800-669-3169 rlowther@litehouseinc.com
