Nat-Phen International, a manufacturer of natural food additives for livestock feed, today announced that it has chosen Wicomico County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore as the site of a new manufacturing facility. The Quebec-based Nat-Phen expects to invest $10 million in the new facility over the next five years and create up to 25 new jobs, with the potential for additional jobs once the site is fully operational. Governor Larry Hogan met with the company today in Montreal as part of a regional economic development mission to Canada.
“Wicomico County, Maryland’s central location, the commitment of Salisbury and Wicomico officials and the strong partnership with the economic development folks have made this decision easy,” said Yves Marchand, principal of Nat-Phen International. “We’re thrilled to be setting up operations on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”
Nat-Phen produces plant-based, polyphenol additives to enhance the feed given to swine, poultry, cattle and other livestock and keep the animals healthy. The company’s Maryland operations will focus on the poultry industry. Nat-Phen expects to begin its Maryland manufacturing operations within the next 18 months, producing finished products for the U.S. domestic farming market.
“Maryland has a long, strong history of farming and manufacturing, and we’re proud to have Nat-Phen become the latest business to carry on that legacy,” said Governor Hogan. “Maryland’s strategic location and access to highly qualified employees, as well as our thriving agricultural industry, will provide Nat-Phen with a competitive advantage to help the company expand into the U.S. market and attract new customers.”
“We welcome global company Nat-Phen to Maryland and look forward to helping them to grow in our state,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “They’ll make a great addition to Team Maryland, and will be a great partner for our state’s farming industry.”
The American food market is constantly striving to provide higher-quality products, particularly meat, eggs, and milk, and American consumers are increasingly concerned about the ethical treatment of animals. Nat-Phen’s food additives improve both the quality of food production and the health of livestock while increasing the efficiency of food production.
Governor Hogan is leading a Maryland delegation, including Secretary Gill and University System of Maryland Chancellor Robert Caret, on a four-day economic development and trade mission to Canada. Arriving in Montreal today after two days in Toronto, the governor addressed executives from top Canadian companies at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations and met with senior executives of CGI Group, a major Montreal-based global IT consulting firm with multiple locations and over 600 employees in Maryland. Governor Hogan also met with ReefPoint Group, an Edgewater, Maryland-based business founded by U.S. Naval Academy graduates, to discuss their work to improve technology in VA hospitals and their future expansion plans.
On Friday, Governor Hogan will address the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and meet with additional business leaders and Canadian officials before returning to Maryland.
