Panattoni to Develop $20 million Facility for International Food Products in Hazelwood

A new production and distribution center will be up in running in the City of Hazelwood by the end of the year. That's according to news announced at the March 20 Hazelwood City Council meeting.

International Food Products (IFPC) has signed on as the first tenant at Aviator Business Park.

Why Hazelwood?

The City of Hazelwood is situated between two interstates, yards away from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and railway access, which makes it ripe for business development.

That's what Emerald Automotive president and CEO Andy Tempest said when the company announced it was opening an assembly plant in Hazelwood; an it's also what Panattoni Development Co. saw when it decided to purchase the old Ford Motor Assembly plant location.

"Aviator Business Park has become a very attractive location for companies looking for modern space in today’s market," said Panattoni partner Mark Branstetter. “ It offers a number of advantages, including heavy existing infrastructure, great highway, airport and rail access, a solid labor market and a business-friendly civic environment.”

Aviator Business Park

The California-based company bought the property in 2008, and is developing a $20 million, 227,500-sq. ft. facility for IFPC. The development should be completed by December 2013.

International Foods is a Fenton-based food ingredient distributor and manufacturer. It will be consolidating two existing locations, combining its distribution center with its production and R&D operations.

The building will be a 32 ft. clear height, cross-docked facility. Norfolk Southern will provide the company's rail service.

Panattoni is developing the 160-acre site into a mixed-use business park, according to the company's spokesperson.

What's Next?

It appears work on the site will begin immediately. Tim Davidson, City of Hazelwood spokesperson, said a groundbreaking ceremony is set for March 28.

As leader of the city, more than anything Mayor Matthew Robinson said the jobs are encouraging.

“(It's) not only good for Hazelwood, but also for the St. Louis metropolitan region," he said. "This addition will help create more jobs and strengthen the area’s industrial base."

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