MIRA LOMA - A Japanese nutritional supplements maker broke ground today on an 88,265-square-foot manufacturing and distribution plant in Mira Loma that will support the firm's fast-growing business while providing new jobs locally.

"We decided to build the new facility to increase our capacity,'' said Kenro Nakamura, president and chief executive officer of Wakunaga of America, which produces garlic supplements under the brand name Kyolic.

The company's U.S. headquarters is in Mission Viejo, the site of its principal manufacturing plant. Since 1992, Wakunaga has had a raw materials facility that takes up a small amount of space on a five-acre lot near the

intersection of Philadelphia Street and Venture Drive, just inside Riverside County, facing Ontario to the north.

With $25 million in sales across the U.S. and 46 other countries, demand for the company's products continues to surge, making it necessary to expand

the Mira Loma operation, said Albert Dahbour, Wakunaga's chief sales officer.

"We have a history here. We like the local resources and have a relationship with the city and county,'' Dahbour said.

During a news briefing at the site, attended by some 50 people, Riverside County Foreign Trade Commissioner Tom Freeman highlighted the prospect of new jobs associated with Wakunaga's expansion plans.

"Investments like this are absolutely essential to our economic recovery,'' he said. "The fact that we're bringing jobs where we're manufacturing products and exporting them to other countries is an important

victory for Riverside County. We're very interested in attracting foreign direct investment.''

According to Nakamura, between 30 and 70 new jobs will open up in administration, marketing, packaging, purchasing and shipping once the plant is up and running in the spring of 2011. Grading at the site is expected to begin

next week.

The contractor, San Marcos-based Taisei Construction Corp., estimates that roughly 250 construction workers will be hired for the project.

"In these challenging economic times, it's a pleasure to be part of this new manufacturing facility,'' said Kunihiko Hirano, Taisei's president and CEO. "It will bring new jobs and economic growth.''

Riverside County's unemployment rate has hovered around 15 percent since July.

Nakamura said that, before opening, the manufacturing facility will undergo a rigorous inspection by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, as well as government health agencies from Australia, Japan and a handful of other countries where Kyolic products are sold over the counter, and in some cases prescribed by physicians.

The supplements, which are intended Advertisement

AMCR Institute. Inc to benefit the immune system and cardiovascular health, have been sold in the U.S. since the early 1970s.

"We have a strong philosophy of providing all customers with high-quality products supported by scientific evidence,'' Nakamura said. "People are smarter buyers today. That's why we want to provide only the best.''

According to Freeman, several Chinese firms have expressed interest in establishing manufacturing facilities in the area.

In September, South Korean electric car maker CT&T sealed a deal with Moreno Valley-based recreational vehicle manufacturer MVP-RV to produce e-zone and c-zone cars -- about the size of golf carts -- at MVP RV's previously

shuttered plant along Interstate 215.

The partnership is expected to create some 100 new manufacturing jobs, as well as support-level positions elsewhere.

Vitamin manufacturer to break ground this morning, County officials applaud 150 new jobs

MIRA LOMA - A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled this morning at the site of a Japanese firm's planned 62,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution plant, which Riverside County officials are applauding for the jobs that will be created.

Wakunaga of America, which makes vitamin supplements, selected the location from a number of prospects. The plant will be at the center of Mira Loma's vast warehousing district.

The firm's representatives, as well as several Riverside County supervisors and possibly state officials, are scheduled to attend today's ceremony, according to Tom Freeman, the county's commissioner of foreign trade.

He said the project will result in roughly 150 new construction jobs, at a time when Riverside County's unemployment rate stands at roughly 15 percent.

The firm has not sought any direct assistance from the county, but Freeman said the Economic Development Agency will be offering job recruitment assistance once the plant is up and running.

"This is the kind of project you want to attract,'' he said last month.

"These successful businesses have capital to invest... This will be a multimillion-dollar investment.'' He said several Chinese firms have expressed interest in establishing manufacturing facilities in the area. One of the companies is expected to announce a decision later this month, according to Freeman.

In September, South Korean electric car maker CT&T sealed a deal with Moreno Valley-based recreational vehicle manufacturer MVP-RV to produce e-zone and c-zone cars -- about the size of golf carts -- at MVP RV's previously shuttered plant along Interstate 215.

The partnership is expected to create upward of 100 new manufacturing jobs, as well as support-level positions elsewhere.