Area manufacturer plans 110 jobs, $10M investment

NEW PORT RICHEY — Foodservice equipment manufacturer Welbilt plans to add 110 jobs as part of a three-year capital investment and expansion worth more than $10 million.

New Port Richey-based Welbilt, with $1.45 billion in revenues in 2016, plans to remodel and expand its research and development labs by adding an additional 42,000 square feet of laboratory, test kitchen space and an improved customer experience center, according to a statement. The expansion included assistance from Pasco County and the Pasco Economic Development Council, the release adds.

“Welbilt is pleased to be expanding our presence and extending our long-term commitment to Florida and Pasco County,” President and CEO Hubertus Muehlhaeuser says in a release. “The thriving business climate created by the state and local governments, along with the availability of a highly-educated workforce, excellent universities and great infrastructure, are among the key factors contributing to the success of this area.

Welbilt, which operates in 38 locations in 12 countries and has more than 5,000 employees, hosts more than 2,000 customer visits each year to its Pasco County customer experience center. The firm, according to the statement, is the only commercial foodservice equipment manufacturer that has a full portfolio of hot, cold and beverage equipment and a centralized research and development function.

“This expansion's economic impact for the county is very significant,” says Pasco EDC President and CEO Bill Cronin in the statement. “We are proud Welbilt put their trust in us to help them expand their operations right here in Pasco.”