US fresh produce giant Chiquita Brands International has announced plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to Charlotte, North Carolina, from its current location in Cincinnati in Ohio, a move that is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.
According to Chiquita, the relocation will include more than 300 positions currently based in Cincinnati, while it will also consolidate other corporate functions in Charlotte by bringing over 100 additional positions – currently spread across the US – to improve execution and accelerate decision-making.
'After an extensive review of our capabilities and needs, we are confident that Charlotte is the optimal location for our business and that our decision to relocate is in the long-term best interest of our company, customers, employees and shareholders,' said Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer. 'Charlotte provided the most compelling economic opportunity to lower our long-term operating costs and the region is an attractive community for our employees. Importantly, the Charlotte airport provides improved access to international markets, customers and Chiquita operations around the world.
'We are grateful for the efforts and leadership of Governor Perdue, Mecklenburg County Commission Chair Roberts, Mayor Foxx, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and Charlotte Center City Partners for working with us to make this relocation possible,' Aguirre added. 'We look forward to joining the Charlotte business community and beginning this exciting new chapter for Chiquita.'
As part of the move, which was evaluated against numerous criteria to make the operation more efficient, Chiquita is set to offer the 'great majority' of its Cincinnati employees the opportunity to relocate to North Carolina.
The company expects that project-related costs will come to US$30m-US$35m over the next two decades, of which US$24m will be recaptured through state, local and other incentives, while a further US$4m in ongoing operating cost savings will be realised annually over the next 10 years from the benefits of domestic consolidation of locations, lower rental rates and travel costs.
'Chiquita looked across America for a place to locate its global headquarters and they chose Charlotte, North Carolina,' said North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue. 'Once again this state's tremendous workforce, top business climate and accessible infrastructure attracted an internationally competitive company.'
And Charlotte Mayor Anthony Fox expressed his delight at the news: 'We welcome Chiquita and its global headquarters to Charlotte. Their move, which follows an all-hands-on-deck recruiting effort, serves to further diversify Charlotte's economy and bring a significant number of high quality jobs. Chiquita has a legendary track record of corporate citizenship, and, in addition to its economic impact, we can also look forward to the many ways in which its presence will enhance our quality of life.'
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