Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that La Flor Spices, a Long Island-based spice manufacturer and distributor, will expand its facility in Hauppauge, Suffolk County and create 15 new jobs. The company, a New York State-certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE), began in 1966 as a mobile provisions truck and has been in business on Long Island since 2004.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “La Flor Spices’ renovation and expansion is a testament to the success that minority and women-owned firms can find in New York State, and we support this multi-generational company's efforts to create jobs and grow its customer base.”
La Flor Spices will invest $1 million in new machinery and engineering (M&E) and renovate its Hauppauge facility. The company will expand its custom blending and co-packaging operations, allowing them to supply new food service clients with spices, and create a new line of liquid products. As part of this project, the company will add 15 new jobs to complement its current workforce of 47 employees. ESD has agreed to provide up to $200,000 in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits to support the project. The expansion and renovation project is expected to be completed over the next four years.
La Flor Spices Executive Vice President Justin Latorre said, “As a third-generation family business ‘born and raised in New York’, La Flor Spices blends the purpose of being a spice solution to our customers with the forward vision to sustain growth in our local community. We are committed to championing ethnic traditions and healthier eating through our products while developing a strategic growth plan for job creation and innovative market expansion. We are excited to partner with the mission of the ESD through the Excelsior Jobs Program tax credit.”
La Flor Spices was founded by Ruben and Froilán Latorre, and three generations of the family are still employed in the business today. The company originally packed its products manually and delivered them directly to local retailers. Today, it has grown to occupy a 90,000 square foot fully-automated packaging facility, with products distributed throughout the United States and reaching four continents.
Assembly Member Michael J. Fitzpatrick said, “I applaud La Flor Spices and the Latorre family for taking large steps toward expanding their business to create 15 more jobs with a $1 million investment. This is the positive kind of economic growth we are thrilled to see on Long Island, and the more we can make New York business-friendly the more success stories we’ll hear such as the one we are celebrating today.”
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said: “The decision by La Flor Spices to expand its facility in Suffolk County is another testament to our pro-business climate and top notch talent. Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, more and more companies are choosing Long Island to grow their manufacturing and distribution operations. I thank Empire State Development for providing a worthwhile financial package that will enable this company to create more jobs in their Hauppauge facility.”
Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter said, “Islip’s relationship with La Flor Spices dates back to 2004. La Flor Spices is an integral part of a larger food cluster located on Long Island, with a concentration in the Town of Islip.”
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NEW YORK,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.
Contact:
Adam Kilduff | [email protected] | (212) 803-3744
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313