Pictured above: Andy and Rachel, with their daughter Amy

A leading American organic food business is launching a new operation in Corby, thanks to support received from the East Midlands Development Agency (emda).

Amy's Kitchen, a family-owned business in California established in 1987, produces organic vegetarian meals and soups. The business, which will be based in Oakley Hay Industrial Estate in Corby, will initially take on 30 staff, but anticipate that this number will quickly expand after production starts in May.

The company produces more than 170 products, which are all hand-made on the production line, and is currently speaking to food retailers about distributing them. Amy's Kitchen specialises in vegetarian food and products for people on special diets (gluten free, dairy free etc). In the USA they produce a wide range of products, from soups and sauces, frozen pizzas and ready meals across a variety of cuisines including Mexican, Italian and Indian.

Directors from Amy's Kitchen came to Northamptonshire in 2009 on a visit organised by emda in conjunction with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). They were shown various sites and were also provided with information about the food and drink industry in the East Midlands, as well as practical advice on typical pay rates, shift patterns premiums and the local supply chain to aid their recruitment plan for the UK.

Steve Warnert, the company's Director of International Business Development, said: "Corby is a perfect location for us. It is a very central location where there is a high quality workforce and room for us to expand as sales grow across Europe. We are looking forward to this exciting new venture for our company.

"I would also like to thank emda and UKTI for their support. They helped to us to identify and look at various locations and also provided us with valuable information about the supply chain, which is extremely important to us, as we like to source ingredients and other services locally wherever possible."

In the UK, Amy's Kitchen's products are already currently available in Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, and several independent health-food stores. The business has already started recruiting staff for its Corby business, and estimate that 100 plus jobs could be created in the longer term as the business expands.

David Wallace, Director of International Investment at East Midlands Development Agency (emda), said: "The decision by Amy's Kitchen to open here is great news for the region and the prospect of creating over 100 jobs is a tremendous boost for Corby. Manufacturing is a key part of the East Midlands' economy, and this investment is further evidence that the region is attractive to foreign investors. 

"US companies have a consistent track record of investing in the region, having created over 5,400 jobs since 2001. Our International team has worked with the company to help develop their supply chain, access funding for training and provide them with facts and figures about the region. We will continue to work with Amy's Kitchen to ensure that they develop and grow their business in the East Midlands."

Since 2002, more than 250 overseas businesses have invested in the East Midlands following support from emda, creating thousands of new jobs across the region. emda's International team provides specialist advice to each prospective investor. Support includes arranging regional visits, supplying labour market or sector-based research and introducing companies to key intermediaries (e.g. banks) to ensure each receives professional support from experts who really understand their businesses.