New England Wholesale Food Distributor Breaks Ground on Expanded Warehouse Operation

Dec. 7, 2009 - PRLog -- New England Wholesale food distributor AGAR, http://www.agarsupply.com/  product specialist for independent restaurants, retailers and other food service providers has broken ground on a warehouse expansion totaling 50,000 S/F. The project is slated to be complete in the spring 2010 and will pave the way for increased growth and new jobs.

The expansion will allow AGAR, the thirteenth largest independent food distributor in the United States, to continue to increase efficiencies and remain a competitive partner to independent restaurants and other food service providers. It will encompass 25,000 S/F of dry storage and 25,000 S/F of frozen storage. Also on the list of major improvements will be a new battery room, new maintenance room and a renovation of AGAR’s operation center. After completion, AGAR’s total warehouse operation will be over 335,000 S/F.

AGAR will also add to their existing rail car service by adding another rail spur to the building, allowing them to take in up to three rail cars at one time. Rail car service has been one of the cornerstones of AGAR’s competitive edge and efficiencies in pricing and allows them to bring in product at a more economical rate, benefiting thousands of customers with lower prices.

“Despite what could be another challenging year for many, AGAR has decided to take advantage of competitive pricing and bids for such a project and move ahead with our aggressive expansion plans,” said Karen Bressler, president and CEO of AGAR. “This effort will not only allow us to serve our existing customers with greater ease but through this expansion, we’ll be able to offer a broader spectrum of products and have a greater opportunity to expand into new markets, keeping AGAR on a continued path of growth.”

AGAR, http://www.agarsupply.com/  through this expansion, also has tentative plans to increase its workforce, adding additional jobs in the warehouse. In the year 2000, when AGAR made Taunton its home, the food distributor employed 200 individuals. As of the fall of 2009, they currently employ approximately 430 people in the Taunton headquarters. AGAR has a proven track record of building and keeping jobs in the city of Taunton, something they have cited to city officials through the planning process.

Because of AGAR’s pledge to stay in Taunton and build upon their workforce, they were awarded a Tax Increment Financing Agreement (TIF). The TIF is ultimately and extension of a previous TIF awarded to AGAR in 2000 for their original construction. The TIF covers the new expansion through the years 2011-2017.

“First and foremost, we have to thank the City of Taunton as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for approving our request for a TIF,” states Bressler. “We have worked closely with all of them through our entire planning process and have enjoyed a great working relationship with all levels. We have pledged to do our best to build this company, stay in Taunton and build our workforce and we thank Mayor Charles Crowley and the entire Taunton City Council for approving this.”

Other facets of the project include new recycling machinery for cardboards and plastics and motion sensor lighting to save costs and energy and improve efficiencies.

About AGAR:
Wholesale food distributor Agar Supply Co, Inc., based in Taunton, Massachusetts is New England’s largest independent food distributor and the thirteenth largest in the United States. AGAR offers a wide range of solutions for the food service industry. The company is New England’s premier supplier of meats, poultry, seafood and grocery items as well as dairy products, non-perishables, non food items, janitorial supplies and small wares. Contact AGAR at 800-669-6040 or http://www.agarsupply.com/