CAMDEN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 15, 2005–Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) today announced plans to build a new $80 million, 220,000-square-foot culinary campus in Everett, Wash. for its fast-growing premium refrigerated soup business. The new facility will enable the company’s StockPot business to increase its production capacity by 50% when it relocates from its present campus in Woodinville, Wash. The new StockPot facility is expected to start up in the summer of 2006.
Campbell acquired StockPot Inc., which makes restaurant-quality, fresh-refrigerated soups and sauces for the food service industry, in 1998. StockPot’s products, which have achieved double-digit growth over the past four years, are sold across the U.S. as part of Campbell’s Away From Home division. StockPot is a share leader in the refrigerated soup category in the food service and supermarket channels.
Archie van Beuren, Campbell’s President – Away From Home, Canada, Latin America and Mexico Division, said, “Demand for StockPot soups is increasing dramatically through ongoing taste innovations and an absolute dedication to quality. Our new culinary campus will enable StockPot to continue to grow in the food service market, as well as with many leading food retailers who are increasingly recognizing that StockPot’s line of high-quality refrigerated soup is a tremendous complement to their prepared foods offerings.”
In early April, King County, Wash., officials and StockPot reached an agreement to relocate the company’s existing culinary campus to allow for the development of the Brightwater Treatment Plant north of Woodinville in Snohomish County. As part of that agreement, a $23.45 million relocation benefits package was offered by King County, which was intended to assist StockPot to relocate within King, Snohomish or Pierce counties, and thereby maintain over 400 jobs and $21 million in annual company purchases in the region.
Kathleen Horner, President – StockPot, said, “Everyone associated with StockPot is gratified that we will be relocating to Everett, which is only 15 miles from our current Woodinville campus. While the soups we make at our culinary campus have achieved national presence, the Puget Sound is our home. We all deeply appreciate the help that was provided by so many individuals and agencies that have made it possible for StockPot to relocate in the area.”
StockPot’s new 18-acre culinary campus will be located within the Panattoni Development Company’s Seaway Business Center, which is southwest of downtown Everett. The proposed design and site will also allow for future expansion.
Forward-Looking Statement
This release contains “forward looking statements” which reflect Campbell’s current expectations about its or its subsidiaries’ future performance. These forward looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates which could be inaccurate and which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward looking statement made by Campbell or its subsidiaries. Please refer to Campbell’s most recent Form 10-K and subsequent filings for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high quality soup, sauce, beverage, baking, biscuit, confectionery and prepared food products. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of more than 20 market-leading brands, and had over $7 billion in sales in 2004. For more information on the company, visit Campbell’s website at www.thecampbellscompany.com.
CONTACT: Campbell Soup Company John W. Faulkner (Media) (856) 342-3738 or Leonard F. Griehs (Analysts) (856) 342-6428 SOURCE: Campbell Soup Company