Peet’s Coffee to build roastery in Virginia
Peet’s Coffee announced that it is building a 175,000-square foot roastery in Suffolk, Virginia; its first on the East Coast. The project will create 135 new jobs in the Commonwealth.
“The Commonwealth has emerged as a hub for critical industry sectors like advanced manufacturing and food and beverage, and we welcome Peet’s Coffee to our roster as we celebrate ongoing success in diversifying and building a new Virginia economy,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe.
“The strategic decision by Peet’s Coffee to expand into Virginia is a great win for the company, the City of Suffolk, and the entire Hampton Roads region,” said Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore. “With the Port of Virginia being one of just two ports on the East Coast that has received ICE certification as an exchange port for coffee imports, Virginia is in a prime position to help Peet’s Coffee quickly distribute its product to more than half of the US population. I know that Peet’s will be a tremendous corporate asset to Suffolk and Virginia, and we look forward to a successful partnership.”
Peet’s Coffee is investing USD $58 million to establish the new manufacturing facility. “Financing the development of an East Coast Roastery in Suffolk, Virginia – our first outside of our LEED Gold certified location in Alameda, California – is a strategic investment in the company,” said Dave Burwick, CEO, Peet’s Coffee, Emeryville, California. “Suffolk is the perfect location to support our high-quality standards while ensuring that the freshest beans are made available to our east coast consumers much more quickly than today.” The Alameda facility currently services all its retail, grocery, wholesale, and e-commerce channels in America.
Since going private in 2012, the company has seen double-digit sales growth. An East Coast roastery sustains such momentum, meets the increased demand, and supports one of the brand’s key tenets of ensuring that consumers enjoy the freshest coffee possible as close as possible to its roast date.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Suffolk and the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a USD $1 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Suffolk with the project. Peet’s will also be eligible to receive sales and use tax exemptions on manufacturing equipment. The company will receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“The Port of Virginia is happy to join the City of Suffolk, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance in welcoming Peet’s Coffee – a company that is going to bring jobs and investment to Hampton Roads, and cargo to The Port of Virginia,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “Peet’s Coffee joins a flourishing coffee handling and manufacturing industry in Virginia that has taken notice of The Port of Virginia’s sustained growth and investments in its infrastructure that provide its customers with strategic access to world markets and supply chains for generations to come. We look forward to partnering for success with Peet’s Coffee.”
“I am excited for the City of Suffolk which is in my district on their new business adventure with Peet’s Coffee,” said Senator John Cosgrove. “This company has been in existence for 50 years and will bring much needed jobs to the area.”
