CAMDEN, N.J., Jun 10, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) executives along with New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, Camden Mayor Dana Redd and Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr., today celebrated the grand opening of the Campbell Employee Center, an 80,000-square foot addition to the company’s World Headquarters.
Against the backdrop of a gleaming glass entrance complete with a signature red wall and iconic “Campbell’s” logo, hundreds of community members and state and local leaders cheered the expansion, which reflects Campbell’s longstanding commitment to Camden, one of the nation’s poorest cities and Campbell’s home since 1869.
Campbell’s President and CEO Douglas R. Conant said, “The completion of this building is the result of a partnership between Campbell, the State of New Jersey, Camden County and the city of Camden. It is a testament to the years of hard work by teams of people committed to a common purpose and determined to overcome whatever obstacles that may stand in the way. We are proud to call Camden home. We have deep roots here, not just on this campus but throughout the city and the entire region. Campbell remains fully committed to the city and its neighborhoods.”
Designed by Philadelphia-based architects KlingStubbins, the Campbell Employee Center is part of a broader effort that includes plans for a 100-acre office park in Camden’s Gateway District. Campbell plans to invest up to $93 million in the project, which includes its new building, ongoing enhancements to its existing facilities and 40-acre campus, and the acquisition of land for future development. The state, county and city have invested approximately $23 million in the area’s infrastructure to improve roads, as well as water and sewer upgrades.
“I am proud that Campbell Soup Company has called New Jersey home for almost 150 years. This project demonstrates the importance of public-private partnerships,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno. “Governor Christie and I are continuing to focus on making New Jersey a home for growth by enhancing New Jersey’s business climate, streamlining our regulatory process and advancing pro-business initiatives.”
With the completion of the new building, Campbell’s Camden facilities include approximately 750,000 square feet of office, research and development and training space. Features of the new building include:
Thoughtfully Planned Sustainability
The new building is designed to be LEED-certified and includes an energy efficient HVAC system along with water conservation and daylight harvesting features. The Campbell Employee Center will conserve electricity, efficiently maintain the building’s temperature and provide daylight and outdoor views from 90 percent of the new space. Its sustainable features include:
The expansion is designed to help Campbell attract, retain and develop the best talent in the food industry.
“This building is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to what we call the Campbell Promise, which states that Campbell values people, and in turn, people value Campbell,” Conant said. “It will provide Campbell employees of yesterday, today and tomorrow with the facilities to achieve their full potential and help the company fulfill its mission of building the world’s most extraordinary company by nourishing peoples’ lives everywhere, every day.”
Campbell is the longest-standing corporate tenant in the city and the only Fortune 500 Company headquartered in Camden. The Campbell Soup Foundation has contributed more than $100 million to Camden and other area nonprofit organizations over the last 50 years.
“Campbell has been an anchor institution in the city of Camden for 141 years,” Mayor Dana L. Redd said. “This expansion project truly demonstrates Campbell Soup Company’s commitment to Camden’s revitalization efforts and their pledge to the community. This wonderful new building also sends a clear message that Camden has, is, and will continue to be open for business. I applaud Campbell for its unwavering commitment to our great city, I wish them continued success, and I hope that they will be able to call Camden home for years to come.”
The project marks the first major development to Campbell’s World Headquarters since the construction of the Dr. John T. Dorrance Culinary Center in 2003.
The Settlement Music School Children’s Choir provided entertainment for the guests in attendance. The choir, which included children from age 6 through 12, sang several songs. Following the program, guests enjoyed a reception catered by Campbell’s chefs, Sodexo chefs and two Camden culinary schools that Campbell supports, RESPOND and Cathedral Kitchen. Many of the dishes were prepared with “Campbell’s” soup, broths, sauces and beverages.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup and sauces, baked snacks and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including “Campbell’s,” “Pepperidge Farm,” “Arnott’s” and “V8.” Through its corporate social responsibility program, the company strives to make a positive impact in the workplace, in the marketplace and in the communities in which it operates. Campbell is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. For more information, visit www.campbellsoup.com.
SOURCE: Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup CompanyAnthony Sanzio (Media)856-968-4390orBellevue CommunicationsSusan Buehler/Diana Torralvo215-893-4284
