Food industry veterans select Charleston region for new venture

DECEMBER 17, 2004 – Easy Tray, LLC, a company employing the latest technology to provide retail and institutional customers with pre-cut produce, has selected the Charleston region for its corporate headquarters and state-of-the-art processing plant. The announcement was facilitated by the Charleston Regional Development Alliance.

Incorporated in 2003, Easy Tray worked for two years with engineering firms, process machinery manufacturers, sanitation experts and Clemson University’s graduate packaging program to perfect a state-of-the-art production process. The company has invested several million dollars in its 32,000-square-foot processing plant, located just off Dorchester Road in North Charleston. Easy Tray expects to create at least 25 new jobs within the next year.

Leading the company is a team of food industry veterans, including: Daniel R. Stevenson, chairman, who brings a background in vegetable processing and financial management; David D. Ward, president & CEO, who is a former vice president of Coburg Dairy and marketing director of General Mills; Lloyd Pearson, CFO, who is a former CFO of Coburg Dairy and Cameron and Barkley; James L. Ferguson, board member, who served as CEO of General Foods; and additional board members with expertise in food distribution, retail sales and national restaurant franchising.

“Our business plan called for an initial rollout in the Southeast, so we considered locations from North Carolina down through Georgia for our first processing plant,” said Ward. “Ultimately, we found an ideal building in the Charleston area that allows for easy access to I-26.

“The assistance we received from the economic development community played an important role in our decision,” Ward continued, “and I’d like to thank SCANA and Jim Friar of the Dorchester County Economic Development Board for their help with the infrastructure requirements for our project. Our company also has local ties to this area, which was another benefit to locating here.”

Easy Tray’s line of pre-sliced or chopped peppers and onions, sold under the Too Goo Doo Farms™ brand, are packaged in a convenient clear plastic tray with safety seal and resealable lid. This new product line – which provides consumers with added convenience, variety and value – was introduced earlier this fall in key markets in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. Retail outlets include Piggly Wiggly, Bi-Lo, Harris Teeter, Albertsons, Kroger and Harveys.

“Although Easy Tray selected the Charleston region based on its real estate and market access requirements, this dynamic new company will also benefit from the area’s strong business climate,” said Ted Creech, Chairman of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance. “In fact, the region was recently recognized by both Entrepreneur and Forbes as one of the top locations for small businesses and entrepreneurs.”

In welcoming this newest member of the Dorchester County business community, Willie Davis, County Council Vice Chairman, said: “County Council is committed to bringing new job opportunities to our local residents. Easy Tray is a significant win for our county, and we welcome this wonderful news.”

County Councilman Larry Hargett noted, “Thank you, Easy Tray, for choosing to locate both your headquarters and high-tech processing plant in Dorchester County. You have an impressive operation, and we will do everything within our power to ensure your success.”

Added North Charleston Mayor, Keith Summey: “North Charleston has been helping young, high-potential companies grow and prosper for years, and we’re looking forward to a long-term relationship with Easy Tray. We are proud to welcome them to our growing business community.”

“It’s very fitting that produce bearing the name ‘Too Goo Doo Farms’ be processed right here in the Charleston region,” said George Tupper, Dorchester County Development Board Chairman. “I’d like to thank Dorchester County Council, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, and the South Carolina Department of Commerce for ensuring that this company found a good home in our community. And a special ‘thank you’ to SCANA for assisting with the infrastructure requirements for the project.”

In its efforts to diversify and strengthen the tri-county economy, the Alliance works with many organizations. An especially important relationship is with the State of South Carolina.

“It’s absolutely essential that we as a state are doing everything we can from a competitive standpoint to encourage more announcements like this one,” said Governor Mark Sanford. “That starts with creating a tax structure that’s going to encourage capital investment and the creation of jobs, both of which start with income tax relief. South Carolina – and the Charleston region in particular – offers a quality of life that’s unparalleled anywhere else in the nation. If we can couple that unique quality of life with a more competitive tax structure, I think we’ll continue to making strides on the economic development front.”

The Charleston Regional Development Alliance represents Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. Its mission is to broaden and diversify business investment in this region, with a new emphasis on technology-intensive business sectors. Since its inception, the Alliance has worked with thousands of companies to help promote business investment and quality growth in the area. To learn more, go to www.charleston-for-business.com.

# # #

Alliance Media Contacts:
Karen Kuchenbecker
843-760-4534
[email protected]

Natalie Lawrence
843-760-4523
[email protected]

Company Media Contact:
David D. Ward
President
843-552-3181
[email protected]