Food product firm that develops 20,000 flavors bringing several dozen jobs to Concord
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated Dec. 17 with new figures from the city of Concord.
A California company that operates as a flavor manufacturer will invest over $6.5 million and create several dozen jobs to open its first East Coast production facility at the site of a once iconic Charlotte-region brand, state officials said.
Custom Flavors will create 30 jobs at 7955 W. Winds Blvd. in Concord near Concord-Padgett Regional Airport, Gov. Roy Cooper’s office said Monday.
But late Monday, the city of Concord said the company’s investment will be $7.5 million and create 42 jobs. The state numbers are for two years, while the city figures cover three years, city spokeswoman Lindsay Manson said Wednesday.
Custom Flavors creates thousands of custom flavors and flavor matching in liquid and powder form in the food industry, according to its website.
“This location will serve as our Eastern hub,” Custom Flavors President Alex Wendling said in a statement.
Custom Flavors did not immediately respond Monday to requests for comment, including when production will begin.
The Concord facility will expand Custom Flavor’s production capacity, with shorter lead times and reduced freight costs as its customer base grows along the East Coast, according to Cooper’s office.
The average annual salary will be $56,400, above the county’s average of $49,058. Jobs will include food scientists, production operators and quality control engineers, according to the state. However, the city of Concord said over three years, the average annual salary will be $58,705.
For its investment, Custom Flavors will receive a state tax incentive of $34,000, based on job creation performance.
City of Concord officials will consider a performance-based property tax grant of $34,078 on Jan. 9.
Cabarrus County officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.
The nearly 53,000-square-foot Custom Flavors site was listed for sale or lease with a separate 36,000-square-foot facility at 7975 West Winds Blvd. by Charlotte commercial real estate firm Colliers. Officials with Colliers did not immediately respond for comment Monday.
The city of Concord said there’s also an additional 70,000-square-foot building on the property, allowing room for possible expansion in the future.
The former iconic brand S&D Coffee & Tea, a private label supplier to chains like McDonald’s, Dunkin’ and Bojangles, previously manufactured at both West Winds facilities. Two years ago, parent company Westrock Coffee, based in Little Rock, Arkansas, rebranded.
About Custom Flavors
Founded in 2005 in San Clemente, California, Custom Flavors is a family-owned company that develops and manufactures liquid and powdered flavors.
The company has more than 20,000 flavors and flavor combinations, according to its website.
Custom Flavors makes organic, natural and artificial flavors for industry products such as bakery, beverage, confectionery, dairy and supplements, and sports nutrition industries. The company supports brands in stores such as Walmart, Kroger, Costco and Publix, the city of Concord said.
This story was originally published December 16, 2024 at 3:35 PM.