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Global Concentrate announced Friday, Sept. 24, that it will be purchasing approximately 170 acres of industrial land in the Pretlow Industrial Park in Franklin to establish its largest processing operation in the U.S.

A Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc. press release stated that Global Concentrate will invest a minimum of $121 million in tangible business property, real estate and construction, and machinery and tools in Franklin. A total of 50 new full-time jobs will be created in Franklin within 36 months. 

Global Concentrate is a New Jersey-based supplier for traditional and organic fruit and vegetable juice concentrates, purees, puree concentrates, not-from-concentrate juices and individual-quick-freezing products.

On Friday, during the press conference held at Barrett’s Landing Park to announce his company’s decision, Global Concentrate CEO Osman Aslinali said he was very pleased to be in Franklin.

“I love the city — a very nice city — so I hope we’ll stay here forever,” he said. “Our main operation is in Turkey. Global Concentrate is based in New Jersey, so there is some packaging, warehousing and distribution in New Jersey. Now we’ve decided to expand our business. We will grow our business here in this nice city.”

The contract for the sale of land in the Pretlow Industrial Park for $2 million was approved by the Franklin City Council at its meeting Monday night, Sept. 27.

“Global Concentrate has been looking to find the best spot in order to expand its American operations,” Ali Erten, manager of Global Concentrate’s New Jersey operations, said in the FSEDI release. “We believe Franklin and the Pretlow Industrial Park is the perfect place for Global Concentrate to expand its operations in the United States and continue to grow its worldwide business.”

The proximity to The Port of Virginia, a strong highway network, a strong site in Franklin and strong support from FSEDI were key factors Global Concentrate considered in its location decision, Erten said.

“The City of Franklin is happy to have Global Concentrate join our community as part of this generational project,” said Franklin Mayor Frank M. Rabil. “The City of Franklin has worked hard to diversify its economy and grow jobs, and this announcement of a major new food processing facility here shows the success of our efforts.”

“This substantial investment by Global Concentrate is a strong endorsement of Franklin and its business climate,” Franklin City Manager Amanda Jarratt said. “We look forward to having Global Concentrate join our community and become a leading employer in Franklin.”

Normal city incentives on machinery and tools, utility and electricity taxes are being provided as part of the attraction package for this project.

Global Concentrate currently operates in Turkey, Europe, Far East Asia, China, South America and Canada as well as the U.S. 

The FSEDI release continued by noting that Global Concentrate looks forward to strong growth in Franklin, as it has experienced in other countries throughout the world. 

The company currently makes and sells private-label juices sold at retailers such as Aldi, Dollar General and Trader Joe’s. Global Concentrate also sells juice concentrate to companies including Tropicana, Campbell Juice and Kirkland.

Global Concentrate has been working with FSEDI to develop the Franklin-area project. The company’s initial contact with Franklin was through an FSEDI advertisement for real estate.

“FSEDI is proud to be part of this exciting development in the City of Franklin,” said Brian Hedgepeth, chairman of the FSEDI Board of Directors. “Our strong continued partnership for economic development and growth with our partners helps make projects like Global Concentrate happen in our community.”

FSEDI worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Hampton Roads Alliance to secure this project for Franklin. 

FSEDI President and CEO Karl Heck and his staff will continue to work with Global Concentrate to help it with its needs as it moves and expands in Franklin. 

“The welcoming business climate, availability of workers and ready-to-go business site made Franklin the natural choice for the Global Concentrate facility,” Heck said. 

“The Hampton Roads Alliance was honored to work with Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc. to help bring Global Concentrate to Franklin,” said Doug Smith, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance. “Hampton Roads has a strong cluster of food and beverage processing companies, and we are thrilled to add Global Concentrate to their ranks. The region’s many amenities, such as The Port of Virginia and our sophisticated transportation system, will ensure their continued success for many years to come.” 

“When a global company like Global Concentrate makes a strategic and significant investment to build its largest processing operation in Franklin, it shows long-term confidence in Virginia’s business environment,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “This company is expanding, in part, because of the efficiency of this port and the access we provide to global markets. We congratulate Global Concentrate on its expansion and look forward to helping the company leverage The Port of Virginia’s assets to drive growth and success for decades to come.”

It is anticipated that Global Concentrate will close on the property in November and that construction will begin in 2022. The job creation will occur over a 36-month period as build-out is completed at the Pretlow site. Anticipated build-out for Global Concentrate will be approximately 2,000,000 square feet of new building space.

FSEDI is the economic development organization that has served the City of Franklin and Southampton County since 2005. FSEDI’s mission is to diversify the economy, create high-quality jobs and provide a future for the families and youth of Franklin and Southampton. FSEDI implements that mission through the support of business attraction, the retention of existing industry, entrepreneurship and tourism throughout Franklin Southampton.