Ohio’s Food Processing
& Packaging Industry
Ted Strickland, Governor
Lee Fisher, Lieutenant Governor

A message from Ohio’s Lt. Governor.
Thank you for your interest in Ohio’s food processing industry. I hope that you gain a greater
understanding of the benefits of locating your next facility in the Buckeye state.
Ohio’s varied agricultural sector provides inputs for the food processing industry, leading to a
concentration of processors within the state. In 2006, Ohio’s food and beverage manufacturing
industry shipped $25.2 billion worth of products. Ohio currently ranks in the top five states
in one-half of the food processing groups, first in the production of Swiss cheese, and second
in the production of tomatoes. The industry employs more than 60,000 workers at 1,106
production plants.
Ohio has a great location for food processing companies between the grain belt and the
populous Eastern markets. In fact, Ohio’s borders are within 500 miles of 60 percent of both
the U.S. and Canadian populations. Combined with a strong transportation infrastructure and
intermodal connections, Ohio is the best location to access your suppliers and your customers.
I hope that you will consider Ohio for your next business location, or expand in Ohio if you
are already part of our state. For more information, please contact the Strategic Business
Investment Division at 614.466.4551 or at sbi@development.ohio.gov.
Sincerely,
Lee Fisher
Lt. Governor of Ohio
Director, Ohio Department of Development

Become profitable faster by locating your business
in Ohio’s leading food processing industry.
Ohio’s strategic location brings together all of the elements that comprise food production and underlies
Ohio’s strength in food processing. Ohio’s rich food production industry is a diverse sector that includes
farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, agbioscience, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution,
processing, marketing, and retail sales. At the strategic crossroads between the grain belt and Eastern
markets, Ohio is also a leading manufacturer of key food and agricultural products such as fruits,
vegetables, specialty foods, Swiss cheese and eggs. Ohio is home to food industry leaders such as
Kroger, J.M. Smucker, Honeybaked Foods, Inc., Chiquita Brands International, and Bob Evans Farms.
Ohio’s food and beverage manufacturing industry exports equal $25 billion annually.
Ohio’s commercial and public food research institutions include commercial nutraceutical industry
leaders such as Abbott Nutrition and institutions such as The Ohio State University’s Ohio Agricultural
Research and Development Center.
Here’s why so many food industry leaders have located in Ohio:
• Strategic location provides easy access to profitable markets and suppliers. Ohio’s strategic location
allows easy access to customers and the world’s second largest supply of fresh water.
• Public-private support eliminates obstacles and accelerates business growth. Ohio is a pro-business
state that understands partnering with the private sector.
• Low-cost of doing business with Ohio’s new tax structure. Ohio has the lowest state taxes
in the Midwest.
• Increased productivity with Ohio’s experienced workforce. Ohio employs more than 60,000 workers in
the food and beverage industry.
• Breakthrough innovations with industry leading research partners. Ohio’s expertise in agbioscience
research helps get your products to market sooner.
• Improved P&L performance with Ohio’s promise of perfect balance. Ohio is a place where you can
achieve both your business and personal aspirations.

The Grain Belt region – comprised of Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin – produces a
substantial amount of the world’s grain and
soybeans. This region also produces nearly
50 percent of all corn grown in the U.S.
Strategic location provides easy access to
profitable markets and suppliers.
Ohio’s strategic location is a key reason for its dominance in food related industries. Food processors are
able to bring in bulk raw materials and ship out finished goods at a low cost. Ohio is located within 500
miles, or one day’s trucking distance, of 60 percent of both the U.S. and Canadian populations.
Extensive Transportation Infrastructure
Ohio’s roads, rail, waterways, and international airports provide many viable and reliable options for
moving products to your final market. Import and export in Ohio is facilitated by 10 Foreign Trade Zones
and many sub-zones offering duty-free, quota-free secured sites where goods can be stored, repackaged,
assembled, and manufactured.
Leading Exporter of Food Related Products
Exports of food and beverage products from Ohio exceeded $25 billion in 2006. More than $650 million
is shipped to international markets, experiencing substantial increases over the last four years. The vast
majority of exports are food products, with only a small fraction from beverage producers.
Abundant Supply of Water
Bordered by Lake Erie to the north and the Ohio River to the south, Ohio is a water rich state with more
than 29,000 miles of rivers and streams, a 451 mile border on the Ohio River, more than 500 lakes, ponds,
and reservoirs, and more than 230 miles of Lake Erie shoreline. Access to the Great Lakes provides the
world’s second largest supply of fresh water, right behind the polar ice caps, with roughly 20 percent of all
the fresh water on the planet. Vast aquifers lie underneath two-thirds of the state, with some of the nation’s
largest and most productive sources of potable water.

Rail
With 5,354 miles of track, Ohio has the fourth
largest network of operating railroads.
Ports
Nine ports on Lake Erie (in addition to many
terminals along the Ohio River) rank Ohio as the
fourth largest maritime state by tonnage moved –
more freight traffic each year than goes through
the Panama Canal.
Highway
Ohio has the nation’s fourth largest
interstate highway system.

“Ohio’s tax reform initiatives have simplified the tax system
and improved both the state’s business environment and
the competitiveness of Ohio companies. ”
Tim Smucker, Chairman & Co-CEO
The J.M. Smucker Company – Orrville, Ohio
Public-private support eliminates obstacles and
accelerates business growth.
Ohio’s commitment to support the development and growth of businesses is backed by a low-cost tax
structure that will make your business more competitive around the world. Ohio’s resources includes
many incentives, loans, grants, and tax credits to encourage business growth. In fact, many popular
privately held companies have food related companies located in Ohio.
Ohio is home to more than 1,106 food processing
production plants. Key Ohio food processing firms
include Chiquita Brands International, in Cincinnati,
Worthington Foods/Kellogg’s in Greater Columbus,
Heinz’ Weight Watcher division in Massillon,
General Mills, with the world’s largest pizza plant
in Wellston, and Nestle, which produces Stouffer
products near Cleveland. Access to Ohio companies
that manufacture food processing machinery, such as
Hobart Corp., build synergy in this important industry.
More than half the total of manufacturing expansions in the U.S. have located in the American Midwest.
Domestic and international companies have placed Ohio at the top of the list because they know it’s
the best place to take advantage of access to corporate manufacturing customers, suppliers and joint
partnerships.
Popular Food-Related Companies Located in Ohio*
Abbott Nutrition H. J. Heinz The Kroger Company
Archer Daniels Midland Harry & David Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Campbell Soup Company HoneyBaked Foods, Inc. Nestle Prepared Foods
Chiquita Brands International Iams Company Pepperidge Farm
Cooper Farms The J.M. Smucker Company Pierre Foods
Dannon Company, Inc. Kellogg Company T. Marzetti Company
General Mills Pillsbury Kraft Foods Global Velvet Ice Cream Company
*Information taken from The Center for Innovative Food Technology, www.eisc.org and the Ohio Department of Development,
Policy Research and Strategic Planning Division July 2008

Ohio Food Processing Workforce and
Notable Industry Establishments
Toledo 90
80 90 Conagra
Hickory Farms Grocery Cleveland
Products
Campbell Soup
Nestle Prepared Foods
H. J. Heinz 90
24 80
75 Bunge North Pepsi-Cola
80
America Metropolitan
Land O’ Lakes, Inc. Bottling
76 Schwebel
Archer Daniels
Midland Pepperidge Farm Baking
15
71
Akron Company
J. M. Smucker Fresh Mark
30
H. J. Heinz 30
Nickles Bakery Canton
33
Wyandot, Inc.
Cooper Farms 77
Dannon 23
Company, Inc. 33 Velvet
Ice Cream Kraft Foods Global
Company
Anheuser-Busch
G&J Harry & David 70
Columbus
Pepsi-Cola
Abbott Nutrition Bottlers
70 Iams T. Marzetti Company
Company Bob Evans Farms
Dayton
71 77
75 Richelieu Sugar Creek Packing
Miller Coors
Foods
23 33
Pierre Foods Portion Pac
Kroger – Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers 50
Inter-American 33
Kellogg Company
Products
Chiquita General Mills –
Cincinnati Bellisio Foods Pillsbury
Brands
International 32
23
Food Processing Industry
Employment by County
Notable Food Processing 7,573 – 1,000
Industry Establishment 999 – 500
499 – 100
99 – 1
Sources:
2006 County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau and Selectory® Business Database, Harris InfoSource None
Prepared by: Ohio Department of Development, Policy Research and Strategic Planning

“Initially I was skeptical about tax reform – believing it would simply
result in winners and losers. Now that the dust has cleared, it is quite
evident to me that tax reform has been good for The Andersons, good
for business and good for the people of Ohio. ”
Richard P. Anderson, Chairman
The Andersons – Maumee, Ohio
Low-cost of doing business with Ohio’s
new tax structure.
Maximize your profits. Eliminate corporate income and franchise taxes.
Taxing profits hurts your company and hampers growth opportunities. These taxes will be eliminated
completely in Ohio by tax year 2010.
Boost your ROI. Eliminate tax on sales of goods and services
to customers outside of Ohio.
Only sales within the State are taxed at a flat rate of 0.0026, which translates to $2.60 per $1,000
of Ohio sales. You get a greater return on your investment dollar.
Reward your entrepreneurial ventures – Commercial Activity Tax is
$150 on the first $1 million in annual gross receipts.
This provides attractive relief for small and emerging businesses, especially those that transact most or all
of their business in Ohio, and helps new businesses get established and show a profit sooner.
Eliminate tax on machinery, equipment, furniture, and fixtures.
Ohio’s revised tax code eliminates tax on capital for new machinery and equipment so you can invest
in greater productivity with zero tax burden. The tax on furniture and fixtures will be eliminated as
of tax year 2009.
Slash your operating costs. Eliminate tax on inventory.
Carrying inventory costs can be a heavy burden for your company, especially warehousing and
distribution operations. Tax on inventory held in Ohio will be eliminated by January 1, 2009.
Attract the best talent. Shrink labor costs. Reduce personal income tax by 21 percent.
High personal income tax adversely affects your company’s ability to attract and retain top-level
executives and highly skilled workers. Lowering the State personal income tax makes Ohio a more
attractive location for corporate entrepreneurs to live and work.
Enjoy a level playing field. All businesses are taxed at the same low rate.
No unfair advantages. No favored competitors.

Ohio has the lowest state taxes
in the Midwest.
Based on: • A food processing firm plans on investing $70 million in a facility
– Real Property = $20 million
– Machinery & Equipment = $40 million
– Inventory = $10 million
• Plans to hire 150 employees
– Average wage of $41,600 per year
• Total expected sales of $20 million
• Expected sales to customers outside of Ohio = 90 percent

“Ohio’s agribusiness and automated manufacturing industries
provide important synergies. Having access to operational
knowledge of companies in these industries and the academic
programs that support them is very helpful when we face
challenges to further improve our process productivity.
”
Gary Cooper, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Cooper Farms – Fort Recovery, Ohio
Increased productivity with Ohio’s
experienced workforce.
The food and beverage industry in Ohio includes over 60,000 workers at 1,106 production plants
throughout the state. Ohio’s overall labor market is nearly six million strong, including 800,000 highly
skilled manufacturing employees.
Ohio is home to approximately 80 colleges and universities, including 24 two-year technical and
community colleges. The Ohio Department of Development can provide assistance with high volume
recruitment, assessment, pre- and post- employment training, and stackable credentialing for high skill
manufacturing positions through an extensive network of Adult Workforce Education Centers from full
service training institutions and two-year colleges. Customized training packages can be developed based
on company specific needs and requirements.
Breakthrough innovations with industry
leading research partners.
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), part of The Ohio State University, is the
largest and most comprehensive agbioscience research and development center in the country. OARDC
provides research on sustainable food and agricultural products, safe and healthy food, rural and urban
communities, natural resources and the environment, and keeping Ohio favorably positioned in the
global economy.
ATECH, a branch of the OARDC, provides commercialization, business development
and marketing for the agbioscience industry. In addition, ATECH provides
sponsored research and available lab space for newly formed companies. ATECH
is the only agricultural bioscience business development department of its kind.
Another available research source in Ohio is the Center for Innovative Food
Technology (CIFT). CIFT’s mission is to help members of the agribusiness sector
improve their competitive position through the development and adaptation of
emerging technologies, industry best practices, and novel business approaches.

Improved P&L performance with
Ohio’s promise of perfect balance.
Welcome to Ohio, the State of Perfect Balance, where world class companies and those
who aspire to be don’t have to compromise professional or personal satisfaction in pursuit
of their ambitions. The same goes for their families and the employees whom they lead.
The Great State of Ohio offers business and industry many unique qualities that contribute
to better balance and, ultimately, optimal business performance. It’s a correlation that is
becoming increasingly clear.
Ohio offers many outstanding cultural and recreational opportunities, including:
• More than 800 public and private golf courses, ranking Ohio sixth in the nation;
home to eight of the top 100 golf courses in the U.S.
• Superior symphony orchestras, museums, ballet and theater companies, including
the Cleveland Orchestra, which is consistently rated one of the top five orchestras
in the world.
• Seven major league sports teams including professional soccer, baseball, football,
and hockey.
• World-class zoos, located in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo.
• Top-ranked healthcare facilities including the Cleveland Clinic and Cincinnati Children’s.
• One of America’s finest networks of state parks and scenic areas.

Locate in Ohio, you’ll build a profitable
business. And you’ll enjoy a rich, full life.
• Strategic location provides easy access to profitable markets and suppliers. Ohio’s
strategic location allows easy access to customers and the world’s second largest
supply of fresh water.
• Public-private support eliminates obstacles and accelerates business growth. Ohio is
a pro-business state that understands partnering with the private sector.
• Low-cost of doing business with Ohio’s new tax structure. Ohio has the lowest state
taxes in the Midwest.
• Increased productivity with Ohio’s experienced workforce. Ohio employs more than
60,000 workers in the food and beverage industry.
• Breakthrough innovations with industry leading research partners. Ohio’s expertise
in agbioscience research helps get your products to market sooner.
• Improved P&L performance with Ohio’s promise of perfect balance. Ohio is a place
where you can achieve both your business and personal aspirations.
Ohio Department of Development
77 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 U.S.A.
Phone: (614) 466-4551 or 1-800-848-1300
www.ohio.gov
www.OhioMeansBusiness.com
www.development.ohio.gov
Ted Strickland, Governor
Lee Fisher, Lieutenant Governor
Director, Ohio Department of Development