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Local, state and international dignitaries on Saturday morning took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for Mamtek’s $46 million investment into the local economy. The Chinese-based company is expanding its operations here to produce Sweet0 brand sucralose, which is a healthy substitute sweetener. Shown above are Tom Smith of the site consulting firm of Capital Business Development Associates, former Missouri Governor Bob Holden who is chairman of Midwest U.S.-China Association, Mamtek Chief Operating Officer Reena Gordon, Mamtek International Chairman Bruce Cole and Moberly Mayor Bob Riley.  Other dignitaries participating in the ceremony were Lynne Shea project manager of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Tom Cunningham who serves as legal counsel on this project on behalf of the City of Moberly, Joe Snodgrass of Septagon Construction Co., MAEDC President Corey Mehaffy and MAEDC Board Chairman Jerry Jeffrey.

The Moberly community officially kicked off about a $46 million investment Saturday morning, with a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the construction of a new sucralose plant.
The ceremony held on about 30 acres of land located immediately west from the Moberly 5 & Drive Theatre complex along North Morley/Business 63 Highway.

Under a partly sunny sky and 90-degree temperature, the gathering was attended by about 130 persons – including several local, state and international dignitaries – to celebrate Mamtek International’s decision to expand its operations from Fujian, China into the U.S. and chose Moberly to become part of its business family.

Mamtek’s product Sweet-O brand sucralose is a healthy substitute sweetener that can be used in both food and pharmaceutical products that has zero calories and carbohydrates.
Uniquely, Moberly will be the only manufacturing operation worldwide producing sucralose that is “Made in the USA.”

“The people of Moberly won Mamtek because of the warm reception and the kind of people you have here who went the extra mile, informing them why mid-Missouri here in Moberly is the right place to meet their business needs,” said former Missouri Governor Bob Holden at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Holden now serves as chairman of the Midwest U.S.-China Association, which seeks to pair Chinese companies with Midwest communities for business opportunities.
“The people here in Moberly made a commitment and those are being followed through with today, and the people here should be commended,” Holden said.

Saturday marked the 87th day since the Mamtek-Moberly partnership venture said Corey Mehaffy, president of Moberly Area Economic Development Corp., and this is one of the most expedited projects he has ever been associated with.
Mamtek, a multinational company with Chinese and American ownership, suddenly was experiencing growing pains in its unique business said Mehaffy

More of this story may be found in the Moberly Monitor-Index July 26, 2010 edition.