Company plans to take job applications in mid-July

By DAN KEGLEY/Staff

Response has been so strong to word of new jobs when First Fruits Beverage Company LLC opens in Marion this fall, Plant Manager Larry Grabman emphasized Thursday the company’s hiring process will not begin until July 14.
“We’ll accept applications starting the 14th here,” he said, referring to the Washington Avenue location. “We need people to not come up here all the time.”
The plant is undergoing transformation from its previous use as a Pepsi bottling facility to become First Fruits’ home. On Thursday, workers were busy renovating offices and anticipating the arrival of a roof crew. Construction material lay about the corridors. A ladder stood in the foyer. Superstitions aside, the plant is not yet ready for visitors looking for application forms.
First Fruits’ President and CEO Roger Catarino said last week 20 to 30 people could be working on two production lines in the company’s first 12 months of operation. When a second line opens, as many as 50 people could have jobs at the plant.
First Fruits will co-pack and ship mainly organic beverages for a number of major beverage companies. The products will include teas, vitamin-enhanced and flavored waters and sports drinks. Some will be hot-filled in their bottles, and then cooled, while others will be cold filled. All will have low or no sugar content and will promote a healthy lifestyle.
Drink ingredients will be shipped to the plant, where local water will be used to make the products. First Fruits will distribute drinks to convenience and grocery stores within a 700-mile radius.
Plant owner Ernie Sullins said this week response has come not only from interested employees. At least one new beverage company contacted the company about bottling its product.
Grabman is not surprised by the surge of interest in the plant’s jobs, but he said trying to apply early won’t boost potential employees’ chances of getting hired.
“It looks like we’re the talk of the town,” he said. “People think if they get their applications in early they’ll get better jobs. I’ll look at all of them.”