NE: Asian Agribusiness, New Grand Ocean International, Opens in Omaha

New Grand Ocean International, a Chinese-owned agribusiness based in Thailand with operations throughout eastern Asia, cut the ribbon on its newest—and only North American— facility in Omaha.

Joining New Grand Ocean Owner Qian Chen and Vice President Harry Hou were Governor Dave Heineman and several state, local and business representatives.  

“During my trade mission to China last year, I had the opportunity to speak with Chinese Vice Premier Wang about opportunities for greater value-added exports to China, fueled in part by foreign investments,” said Gov. Heineman. “New Grand Ocean’s location in Nebraska helps with that effort. Asia’s growing population needs more food and value-added products, and it makes perfect sense for us to use our world-leading productivity to process more of those products here before shipping them abroad.”

The family-owned company is a large wholesale distributor of beef, pork and chicken products, earning $40-45 million in annual sales. The company, which expects to rely heavily on Nebraska suppliers, will immediately hire two employees. Phase two plans call for construction of a processing plant with the potential for hiring 15 to 20 people.  

“We truly hope to become a great bridge between Nebraska agriculture and Asia market. We also hope to establish a long stable and constructive partnership with local business. And we will try our best to give back to the community and create more job opportunities for Nebraska,” said Mr. Chen.  

“The Chamber is committed to increasing global business in the Greater Omaha area. We have made significant efforts to promote bilateral trade and investment between Omaha and Asian nations. We welcome New Grand Ocean International to the Omaha business community,” said David Brown, Greater Omaha Chamber president and CEO.  

It is the latest of a number of international companies locating in the state. During the past four years, Nebraska recorded 29 international investments from 12 countries, totaling more than $4.17 billion and creating approximately 1,473 jobs.

In 2012, KPMG and the Tax Foundation ranked Nebraska as the number one state in the U.S. for newly locating corporate headquarters. Nebraska ranked second in the U.S. for manufacturing in KPMG and the Tax Foundations’ State Business Tax Climate Index.