Daniele Foods, a Rhode Island based company that makes finely cured Italian meats, today broke ground on a $50 million, 300,000 square foot facility that will double its production capabilities and preserve and grow its existing workforce.
A Rhode Island company since coming to America in 1976, Daniele’s products are in supermarkets, grocers, delis and restaurants across the United States and are exported to Canada, Mexico, China, Korea and other countries. Known for its high quality products, the family owned and operated company has grown in the highly competitive Italian cured meat industry.
“Rhode Island is our home,” said Vlado Dukcevich, Daniele Foods chairman. “We are pleased to be able to expand here. This new factory will not only grow our footprint, it will give us the capacity to double our production.”
Each year Daniele produces over 23 million pounds of product and ships over 100 million packages of its Del Duca® Prosciutto, sopressata, salame, pancetta, mortadella and capocollo.
Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee, General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, Economic Development Corporation Director Keith Stokes, as well as other local elected officials joined the Dukcevich family for the groundbreaking.
“Daniele Foods is an outstanding, family-run Rhode Island company that makes a significant contribution to our state’s economy,” said Governor Lincoln Chafee. “I am pleased that the state was able to work with the company to make the regulatory process easy and efficient, which is our goal for all Rhode Island businesses. This expansion will not only increase the number of full-time jobs at Daniele, which already employs more than 300 people, it will fuel hundreds of jobs in our struggling construction industry. Daniele Foods has a long and proud history, and I look forward to its continued success and growth right here in Rhode Island.”
Locally Daniele products are sold at high-end delis, Dave’s Markets, Stop & Shop, Roche Bros, Market Basket, and Trader Joes.
The planning for the new factory was expedited through efforts of the RIEDC, which helped with the regulatory process.
"Providing Rhode Island businesses with the resources and technical assistance that they need to grow and expand is part of Rhode Island's business growth strategy," said Keith Stokes Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. "By accelerating the permitting process and purchase of land we helped this long-standing Rhode Island business to build a new 300,000 sq. ft. facility to retain and generate jobs."
The state-of-the art plant exceeds, by 44 percent, international energy codes. It includes highly efficient continuous insulated paneling, a white roof membrane to reduce solar heat, minimize energy costs and in outfitted with special factory -wide high efficiency lighting. In addition, Daniele is working with the RI EDC to explore the opportunity to utilize solar panels and other renewable energy sources.
The company currently employs over 300 workers, a number that is expected to grow as the new facility comes on line. The construction is expected to generate 250 jobs.
“The Dukcevich family’s continued investment in Rhode Island is commendable and valued during these challenging times,” General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo said. “It is important to encourage and support other family businesses who may be considering similar expansions.”
The Dukcevich family also announced it is committed to working with RI farmers and is in the process of developing a soon to be launched locally grown line.
About Daniele Foods:
Daniele Foods was founded in 1945 in Italy and produces fine, cured Italian meats. Daniele products are made in America with hogs that are purchased from American family farms. Daniele Foods has been a RI company for over three decades and continues today as a family owned and operated company. Daniele products can be found locally at Dave’s, Stop and Shop, BJ’s, Trader Joe’s, Market Basket, Roma and Roche Bros.
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