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Smythe County News
June 29, 2008
http://www.swvatoday.com/comments/company_plans_to_take_job_applications_in_mid_july/news/2980/
By DAN
KEGLEY/Staff
Response has been so strong to word of new jobs when
First Fruits Beverage Company LLC opens in Marion this fall, Plant Manager
Larry Grabman emphasized Thursday the company’s hiring process will not begin
until July 14.
“We’ll accept applications starting the 14th here,” he said, referring to the Washington Avenue
location. “We need people to not come up here all the time.”
The plant is undergoing transformation from its previous use as a Pepsi
bottling facility to become First Fruits’ home. On Thursday, workers were busy
renovating offices and anticipating the arrival of a roof crew. Construction
material lay about the corridors. A ladder stood in the foyer. Superstitions
aside, the plant is not yet ready for visitors looking for application forms.
First Fruits’ President and CEO Roger Catarino said last week 20 to 30 people
could be working on two production lines in the company’s first 12 months of
operation. When a second line opens, as many as 50 people could have jobs at
the plant.
First Fruits will co-pack and ship mainly organic beverages for a number of
major beverage companies. The products will include teas, vitamin-enhanced and
flavored waters and sports drinks. Some will be hot-filled in their bottles,
and then cooled, while others will be cold filled. All will have low or no sugar
content and will promote a healthy lifestyle.
Drink ingredients will be shipped to the plant, where local water will be used
to make the products. First Fruits will distribute drinks to convenience and
grocery stores within a 700-mile radius.
Plant owner Ernie Sullins said this week response has come not only from
interested employees. At least one new beverage company contacted the company
about bottling its product.
Grabman is not surprised by the surge of interest in the plant’s jobs, but he
said trying to apply early won’t boost potential employees’ chances of getting
hired.
“It looks like we’re the talk of the town,” he said. “People think if they get
their applications in early they’ll get better jobs. I’ll look at all of them.”
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