Saratoga Potato Chips LLC sets up U.S. Headquarters in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Saratoga Potato Chips, LLC announced today that it will locate its U.S. headquarters here, creating up to 175 new jobs by 2013.

The Canadian company, which produces retailer brand potato chips, kettle chips and popcorn, will invest $4.9 million to lease and equip an existing 138,000 square-foot facility at 6923 Lincoln Parkway in the state's second largest city.

"Saratoga is the second international firm in the last month to have taken notice of the business climate we've created and launch U.S. headquarters operations in our state,"said Governor Mitch Daniels who recently joined executives from Chinese manufacturer, Y.K. Furniture to announce the company's plans to establish its U.S. headquarters in Marion and create up to 100 new jobs over the next four years.

Saratoga Potato Chips, LLC, a 22-year-old company, is preparing to start production in Fort Wayne later this year.  The company plans to begin hiring production, management and administrative positions at that time. 

"Saratoga's Indiana headquarters gives us closer proximity to our U.S. customers, many of which are located in the Midwest,"said Peter Margie, president and chief executive officer of Saratoga Potato Chips.  "State and local officials have created an excellent business environment and that made our decision to locate in Indiana an easy one."

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Saratoga Potato Chips, LLC up to $1 million in performance-based tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. Allen County will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Allen County,"said Commissioner Nelson Peters. "The fact that Saratoga Potato Chips has chosen northeast Indiana as its U.S. headquarters speaks volumes for our business community and shows that we are an excellent place to grow and conduct business."