Expansions don’t just happen overnight. Anyone involved in the selection of a new company site knows how complicated the process can be.
It involves matching a company’s needs with those of a location, consulting with area experts and doing a cost/benefit analysis, to name just a few of the tasks.
Successful expansions are even harder to orchestrate. Companies in Temple succeed for four main reasons: the skilled workforce, a connected infrastructure, a low cost of doing business and room to expand their business. Several companies have carved out stellar business wins in the city. Here are six Central Texas companies that are doing it big in the logistics, distribution and life science sectors.
In 2019, Cargill—manufacturer of animal nutrition and health—opened its $34 million, 70,000 square foot expansion in Temple. The central Texas location gives the 156-year-old company unrestricted access to surrounding farm and ranch feed stores, thereby reducing transportation costs.
“We are excited to offer improved access of our Nutrena, Record Rack and Cargill branded product lines to our farm and ranch feed store customers and the animal owners they serve,” said Joe Comte, Cargill sales manager.
Branded as Hefty from 1970 to 2009 and Reynolds since 2010, this world-famous consumer products company has built a strong legacy in Temple. In 2018 the company made a $3.2 million upgrade to their plastic film production line, an investment which was strengthened by the talent from the local Texas State Technical College. The project also created 10 new jobs, adding to the location’s existing workforce of over 300 employees.
“Our brand is known for quality and reliability and the people behind it make that possible,” said Rick Villa, Plant Manager, Reynolds Consumer Products. “We’re pleased to be able to grow right here in Temple.”
Since its $90 million capital investment for a new, 450,000-square-foot bottling facility in Temple in 2019, Ontario-based Niagara Bottling has increased its workforce to over 80 employees. The fast-growing company notes Temple’s talented workforce, accessible location and infrastructure as some of the contributors to its success.
The company has found opportunities to make its name know in the community, as well. In early 2021, Niagara sponsored the construction of a new, nature-themed playground at the local Prewitt Park.
McLane is one of the largest supply chain service providers in the U.S., as demonstrated by its North and South campuses in eastern Temple. In 2009, the company was the recipient of a Texas Enterprise Fund Grant, which it used to subsidize its $11 million expansion in 2013.
In early 2021, the company launched McLane EDGE, a marketing and merchandising digital platform that provides retail businesses with sales updates, promotions, services, category trends and new products.
“The digital age continues to revolutionize how strategic merchandising information is disseminated and acted on, and McLane is excited to be in the forefront,” said Cassandra Matos, director of merchandising at McLane.
McLane’s global headquarters in Temple operates over 80 distribution centers which support over 100,000 client locations across the U.S.
Two of Temple’s key industries contribute to the success of the Baylor Scott & White Health — healthcare and logistics. The hospital and distribution center employs over 7,000 employees, making it one of the largest employers in the city. It is minutes away from Temple Medical and Education District (TMED), a collaboration of key public and private entities that promote education in the life sciences sector.
U.S. News & World Report 2020-2021 ranked the medical center within the top 10% hospitals in the nation for Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Orthopedics and Nephrology. BSWH is the largest not-for-profit health care system in the state of Texas.
Customized care doesn’t grow on trees, and that’s why in 2019 Everest Rehabilitation Hospitals were glad to find a talented network of healthcare professionals right in Temple. Their 41,000-square-foot facility is located strategically just across the street from the esteemed Temple College’s Texas Bioscience Institute and right in the middle of TMED.
Temple is home to a community of companies and brands from a variety of industries. Interested in learning more about what makes Temple businesses so successful? Get in touch or visit our Key Industry pages for logistics, distribution and life sciences.