New cookie company vows hundreds of jobs

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (KRQE) - A big business has moved into New Mexico, and it's promising to bring hundreds of jobs with it.

Gov. Susana Martinez announced Friday at a ribbon cutting that the Western Baking Corporation has moved into Alamogordo.

"I think we all share the very same goal, to put more New Mexicans back to work," said Martinez.

And that's what the cookie and cracker manufacturing company plans to do. They have 65 employees now with plans to hire up to 500 over the next three to five years.

"The company has also embraced new technologies and state-of-the-art equipment to pave the way for higher-skilled jobs that pay more and provide better working conditions for the company's employees," said Martinez.

Local business representatives and dignitaries showed up to support the opening. The 176,000-square-foot facility has been shut down for more than five months after the last two businesses there failed.

Western Baking Co. started production at the former Marietta Biscuit plant last month. So, what makes them different? 

"The simple answer, at least in my perspective, is that this company has not only the experience, but also the financial resources to pull this off," said Lance Tade, chair of the Otero County Economic Development Council.

The company's owners come from Mexico where they own more than a dozen corporations. This is their first U.S.-based operation.  

Western Baking Corp. invested more than $15 million to reopen the Alamogordo facility. The company makes a wide range of treats sold across the country under the Marietta's Premium brand.

"I want to extend our deepest thanks for sharing with us our great joy and enthusiasm in the realization of a dream," said Diego Pérez Morett, owner of Western Baking Corp.

"We now have a company that we know will thrive in New Mexico for a very long time," Martinez said.

The company predicts it'll bring in nearly $19 million in its first year. The average wage for its employees will be $14.50 an hour.