Governor Scott announces Beneficial Blends’ expansion of Tampa headquarters


April 15, 2016



TAMPA, Fla. – April 15, 2016 – Governor Rick Scott today announced that Beneficial Blends, LLC, a premium Organic certified co-packer and distributor of Kelapo™ coconut oil products, will expand its headquarters in Tampa, adding up to 70 new jobs by 2019. The new jobs will fulfill various functions including sales, marketing, accounting and quality control positions, along with production and warehouse facility roles.

Governor Scott said, “Not only has the Tampa area added nearly 43,000 jobs over the year, but today we also announced that local manufacturer Beneficial Blends will be expanding and creating 70 new jobs for Tampa families. Our work to cut taxes and support economic growth is helping job creators succeed across the state, and we will keep working to make Florida first for jobs.” Governor Scott also noted that the unemployment rate in Tampa is down 0.8 percentage point over the year to 4.4 percent in March.

Beneficial Blends will be expanding its headquarters at 5505 Johns Road to an additional 24,000 square-foot facility at 5132 Tampa West Boulevard, Suite B, a few miles north of Tampa International Airport.

“Our growth in the last eighteen months has been tremendous due to the exciting trends in natural and organic foods,” said Erin Meagher, founder of Beneficial Blends. “We’ve been able to accomplish this with talent right here in the Tampa Bay region and we’re continually adding to our dynamic team.”

Beneficial Blends was launched to help service the rapidly expanding multi-billion dollar private label industry. With a facility that can fully accommodate those with food allergies and specific dietary requirements, Beneficial Blends offers private label, co-packing, and food service solutions for food products that are viscous in nature, including oils and sauces. The Safe Quality Food Institute level three certified facility is also certified Organic, Fair Trade, Kosher, and free from gluten, dairy, nuts and soy. Beneficial Blends utilizes an active and evolving Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan, complete with established Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and its staff is trained and carries HACCP, ServSafe, and Better Processing School certifications.

Founded in 2009, Beneficial Blends’ flagship product is Kelapo Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. All Kelapo products are certified Organic, Fair Trade, Kosher, and Vegetarian-friendly, and include coconut oil, soft gels, individual serving pouches, and a soy-free coconut oil cooking spray. Kelapo will be launching three new products in 2016, including ghee (clarified butter) and a 50/50 blend of coconut oil and ghee in 13-ounce jars and single serving pouches. Consumers can find Kelapo Coconut Oil products in large grocery retailers throughout the United States, including Publix, Delhaize, The Fresh Market, Meijer, Target, Harris Teeter, HEB, and many more. The company has received national recognition for its fast growth, and ranked #485 on the 2015 Inc. 5000 list.

The Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation assisted Beneficial Blends by facilitating connections to CareerSource Tampa Bay for workforce screening and recruiting services.

“The expansion of Beneficial Blends is further proof of the vibrancy of Hillsborough County’s manufacturing sector,” said the Hon. Lesley “Les” Miller, Chairman of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. “We appreciate their continued investment in our community and thank them for the jobs and opportunities they are creating for local families.”

Florida ranks among the nation’s top 10 states for manufacturing and is home to more than 18,600 manufacturing companies. The state’s 321,000+ manufacturing employees produce a wide variety of goods including aerospace products, batteries, food and beverages, communications equipment, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, boats, and more.

“Entrepreneurs like Erin Meagher are building companies that will shape the future of Tampa and help attract more exciting companies like Beneficial Blends to our city,” said Mayor Bob Buckhorn, City of Tampa. “Tampa’s reputation as a great place to start and grow a business is increasing nationally and internationally, thanks to success stories like hers. We look forward to supporting them as they continue to expand.”

Beneficial Blends joins a joins a growing list of locally headquartered companies that have announced expansions in Hillsborough County, including Accusoft, BlueGrace Logistics, BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Nitro Mobile Solutions, SunView Software, and Tampa Tank and Florida Structural Steel.

“Beneficial Blends is the kind of company many cities would lobby hard to move to their communities,” said Colleen Chappell, Chair of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and CEO of ChappellRoberts. “The EDC recognizes the value of locally grown companies like Beneficial Blends, and pledges to do whatever we can to make their choice to stay here and grow an easy one. We are so proud that this company calls Tampa and Hillsborough County home.”

Interested candidates are encouraged to visit http://beneficialblends.com/ for more information about available positions.

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About Beneficial Blends
Beneficial Blends was launched to help the rapidly expanding billion dollar private label industry. With a 34,000 square foot facility that can fully accommodate those with food allergies and specific dietary requirements, Beneficial Blends offers private label and co-packing services. Founded in 2009, Beneficial Blends’ flagship product, Kelapo Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, was created as a sustainable, delicious substitute for cooking and baking. Our coconut oil has a light, natural taste, which adds enticing flavor to both savory and sweet dishes. Kelapo Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is certified Organic, Fair Trade, Kosher and Vegetarian Approved. Our line of products consistently deliver high-quality, innovative Organic coconut oil for cooking and baking. Products include 8-ounce, 14-ounce, 15-ounce, and 29-ounce jars, soy-free coconut oil cooking spray, single serve pouches, pre-measured baking sticks, and Vegetarian soft gels. For more information on Kelapo Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, please visit www.Kelapo.com.

About the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation
The Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development works to develop and sustain a thriving local economy through the attraction, retention and expansion of high-wage jobs and capital investment in Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. Our efforts are focused on growing locally established companies as well as recruiting corporate headquarters and regional operations in targeted industry sectors including Information Technology, Financial and Professional Services, Life Sciences, Defense and Security, Manufacturing, and Distribution and Logistics. The Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation exists because of the generous support of over 100 investors from the local community. For more information, visit tampabayedc.com.

About Hillsborough County, Florida
Hillsborough County is the commercial and industrial heart of Tampa Bay. The fourth largest county in the state of Florida, Hillsborough is home to nearly 1.3 million residents, with thousands more arriving each year. Its strength is drawn from being one of the most advanced economies and having one of the most educated workforces in the state. Hillsborough County and its three municipalities –Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace — offer a competitive business environment and an abundance of regional assets including Port Tampa Bay, Tampa International Airport, and MacDill Air Force Base. County government is focused on creating economic prosperity for residents and businesses throughout the area. To learn more, visit hillsboroughcounty.org.

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