Earth movers have created a mountain of dirt on Cahill St. in Lockhart, but by the end of next year, the Ziegenfelder Company, America’s largest producer of Twin Pops frozen treats, will begin operations at their new facility said company president, Kevin Heller.
During a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, Heller recalled having a slight reluctance at considering building from the ground up.
“We were on our way out of town one day and somebody mentioned ‘hey, we're building an industrial park.’ I said there's no sense looking at it, there was no way we're ever going to build something from the ground up,” Heller recalled. “Finally, I was convinced to stop and take a look at the property.”
Heller said that was two and a half years ago and here they were today, moving dirt and preparing for construction. He then thanked Lockhart Economic Development Director, Mike Kamelander, for pushing them to look at the property.
“Today is a significant day in our company's history. We're here to break ground on a $46 million manufacturing plant. This is an investment in the future growth of Ziegenfelder and the Lockhart community,” Heller said. “It will create more than 100 full-time jobs for this community.”
Heller thanked his team and their tireless efforts for pulling the project together which included newly formed partnerships with the City of Lockhart and the State of Texas.
“I said before, this has been a long process that started with our mission, which is to make people smile with really cool treats and to bring those smiles to every home in America,” Heller added. “As our national footprint has grown with that vision, the need for production capacity has grown as well. That vision, becoming more of a reality, is what led us here today.”
Heller said the Lockhart facility will serve as their fourth manufacturing plant under the Ziegenfelder umbrella.
“We are the nation's largest producer of Twin Pops and Monster Pops and the number one ice pop brand in the country,” Heller said. “When searching for potential location opportunities we knew a southwestern location would best accommodate our next step and growth.”
Heller said after much due diligence and working closely with Kamelander and the people in Lockhart, they concluded that the City of Lockhart and State of Texas would best suit our future strategy; and being awarded $525,000 from the Texas Enterprise Fund, granted through the Office of Governor Abbott, further solidified that decision.
“The Ziegenfelder Company would like to thank the Office of Governor Abbott, Executive Director of Economic Development- Adriana Cruz, Mayor Lew White, and Director of Lockhart Economic Development Michael Kamerlander, for each of the roles they played in this partnership and expansion,” Heller added.
“The goal of this Lockhart facility is to increase our production capacity and further support our growth in the Southwest. The company will be constructing the 61,000 square foot facility with four production lines that will produce more than 1 million twin pops and Monster pops per day.”
Chief Customer Officer, PJ Turner, said the formula for the company’s success is simple.
“When we get it right, our product looks good, tastes good, and it doesn't cost a lot. That's just about as simple as it gets for our company. It’s what we try to achieve every day,” Turner said. “We don't sell directly to our consumers, we need great partners, great grocery retailers and it doesn't get any better than HEB.”
Turner said once the location is up and running, he’ll be excited to see the Made in Texas label on their product.
“Our brand is on a really strong trajectory,” Turner said. “We had a record year and are thankful because I know not everybody is having that same success.”
Turner, pointing to the site of the new development, said it would be the cornerstone for what will drive the company, doubling its business again, in the next ten years.
Adriana Cruz, Executive Director of the Economic Development and Tourism for the Office of Governor Greg Abbott thanked the Ziegenfelder Company for choosing to grow in Texas and in Lockhart.
“This is an important investment, which will be creating 100 new jobs and $46 million in capital investment. You're growing a presence here in the Lone Star State,” Cruz said, “You'll continue to make a positive impact on our local community and the state as a whole as you create jobs for hardworking Texans.”
Cruz said at her office it’s not only their mission is to market and promote the State of Texas across the country and around the world as a premier business location and travel destination, but as the manufacturing capital of the United States.
“Texas is proud to welcome Ziegenfelder’s new facility to our state. It's because of innovative leaders like yourselves that Texas remains an economic powerhouse ranking as the eighth largest economy in the world,” Cruz said. “We like to say that Texas is where today's products are made, and tomorrow's technologies are brought to life.”
Cruz said economic development in Texas is truly a “team sport.”
“Our success is thanks to the close partnership we have not only with our private sector, but with economic development organizations like the Lockhart Economic Development Corporation, the City of Lockhart, Caldwell County and the Greater San Marcos Partnership,” Cruz added.
Cruz then read a proclamation signed by Governor Abbott wishing the company continued success.
Mayor of Lockhart, Lew White, welcomed Ziegenfelder to Lockhart and Caldwell County as well.
He said as they celebrate the groundbreaking, they are also celebrating the completion of the newest Industrial Park, Lockhart Industrial Park #3.
“Many of you know it as SH-130 Industrial Park. We've got a lot of jewels in this crown. McElroy Metal, Builders Supply, and now Zigenfelder,” White said. “It took a team to bring the Ziegenfelder Company to Texas. Such as the support from representatives of the City of Lockhart, Caldwell County and reinforcement from Governor Greg Abbott's office and the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF).”
Companies awarded the TEF must demonstrate a plan of significant capital investment, career opportunity requirements, and support from the city and county where the project will be located, White said. Ziegenfelder met all the criteria, making it the first TEF recipient for Lockhart and Caldwell County.
“I want to thank Adriana Cruz for celebrating with us today. Your support through this process, along with the governor's, made this economic development win even sweeter,” White added. “Food and beverage processing is one of Lockhart’s target industries for economic development and Ziegenfelder’s upcoming facility only further cements Lockhart as a destination for these types of companies.”
Kamerlander wrapped up the ceremony saying from the time the land had been purchased for the industrial park, to its completion has been amazing.
“This whole industrial project started at the end of 2020, and we bought the land in February 2021,” Kamerlander said. “You all (Ziegenfelder) were the last closing to get this done and finished out here in September. What you’ve done in a month… it's spectacular.”
Kamerlander thanked the county for its support of the industrial park and for partnering with the EDC and the city to get it done.
“That's why we're showing success. It’s that partnership you’ve seen so far through the process and will continue to see as we get more permits and get the opportunity to work with our wonderful city staff moving forward,” Kamerlander said. “Ziegenfelder is just the start.”
The Ziegenfelder Company is the largest producer of Twin Pops in the United States. Founded in 1861 as a candy and ice cream maker, the company evolved into making the “Rainbow Array™” of frozen ice novelties. The Armstrong Group Company has production facilities in Wheeling, WV, Chino, CA and Denver, CO, The Ziegenfelder Company remains committed to community programs, fundraising and creating smiles.