ERLANGER, Ky. — Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has announced the opening of a new center in Erlanger, Ky. The Chicago-based business will bring an information technology and support center to its existing campus, which houses the WILD Flavors offices.
"We are excited to grow our presence here in Erlanger," said ADM Chief Executive Officer Juan Luciano. "This center is a great example of the many synergies we’ve been able to capitalize on following our acquisition of WILD Flavors last year."
WILD Flavors and Specialty Ingredients is a manufacturer of natural flavors, colors and health-conscious food ingredients which ADM purchased for $3 billion in July 2014.
"Collocating the facility on the WILD campus in Erlanger gives us access to a strong local talent pool of I.T. professionals in Northern Kentucky and the entire Greater Cincinnati area, and also allowed us to execute this expansion in a cost-conscious way," said Luciano. "As our company continues to grow, our global I.T. capabilities and infrastructure have to expand at the same time to support that growth. This new technology center enables us to attract new I.T. to our organization as we expand our company and our technical capabilities."
ADM is one of the world’s largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers whose 33,000 employees operate more than 460 crop procurement locations, 300 ingredient facilities and 40 innovation centers across the globe. Net sales for the fiscal year 2014 were $81.2 billion.
Housing 70 employees and contractors, the new center will eventually expand to approximately 200 ADM workers. The majority of the positions will be newly created as ADM expands its global I.T. support and infrastructure.
Development of the center is supported in large part from the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) which approved tax incentives up to $5 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program and up to $200,000 through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative. To qualify for the incentives, ADM has committed to recruit heavily in Kentucky for the newly created positions.
"ADM’s decision to expand operations in Kentucky and add 200 jobs speaks volumes about the opportunities our Commonwealth offers," said Gov. Steve Beshear. "Since January 2014, the food and beverage industry in northern Kentucky announced 46 new or expanding projects and $23 million invested. With the industry adding 3,100 new jobs over that time, it’s great to welcome ADM as a contributor to that growth."
ADM will maintain its existing I.T. center at the company’s North American headquarters in Decatur, Ill., and will continue delivering I.T. services from several other ADM locations throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia.
