Canadian private-label snack food manufacturer Saratoga Potato Chips will open a U.S. headquarters in Allen County later this year, eventually bringing 175 new jobs and an investment of more than $4.9 million, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance announced.
The company, which produces traditional potato chips, kettle chips and popcorn, has its international headquarters in Brampton, Ontario, near Toronto.
Ashley Steenman, the alliance’s project manager for the Saratoga project, said the company will begin production in the fourth quarter of 2010 and initially employ 70 people. Plans call for a work force of 120 people in 2011, up to 160 in 2012 and 175 in 2013.
The jobs, most of them in the production sector, will pay an average of $25,000 a year, Steenman said.
The company will base its operations in a 138,000-square-foot facility at 6923 Lincoln Parkway once occupied by Supermarket Services.
Saratoga becomes the second private-label potato chip manufacturer in Fort Wayne, joining Olde York, Steenman said.
Peter Margie, president and CEO of Saratoga Potato Chips, said the company presently is the largest private-label manufacturer of potato chips in Canada, and the expansion will nearly triple its work force. Saratoga currently has about 100 employees.
“Saratoga’s Indiana headquarters gives us closer proximity to our U.S. customers, many of which are located in the Midwest,” he said. “State and local officials have created an excellent business environment that made our decision to locate in Indiana an easy one.”
The Allen County Council next week will consider a tax abatement associated with the project, Steenman said. Saratoga could save about $131,000 on real and personal property taxes over seven years.
The company is also eligible for $10,000 in recruitment and assessment services, $125,000 in job-specific training and $10,000 in computer training services from WorkOne Northeast.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. will provide $1 million in Economic Development for a Growing Economy tax credits over 10 years.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Allen County,” County Commissioner Nelson Peters said in a statement. “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.”
©Copyright 2025 KPC Media Group, Inc.