Ingredient supplier investing $5M in Lexington County operations

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A California-based supplier of naturally sourced ingredients is establishing operations in Lexington County with a $5 million investment expected to create 20 jobs.

Founded in 2016, Concentrated Active Ingredients & Flavors Inc. specializes in the procurement, custom production and distribution of science-backed superfoods and health-promoting ingredients. The company develops new products based on scientific advances in nutrition and caters those products to the food and beverage, dietary supplement and pet nutrition industries.

“We are thrilled to establish our presence and continue building the CAIF brand in the Palmetto State,” CAIF CEO Cesar Fernandes said in a news release from Central SC Alliance. “I would like to whole-heartedly thank the South Carolina Department of Commerce and Lexington County for assisting with this project. It is truly exciting knowing that our planned new operation will positively contribute to the local economy and generate at least 20 new jobs in the area within just the first phase of our project.”

The new facility, located on Technology Drive in West Columbia, will include an office and a state-of-the-art lab that will accommodate the logistics, quality, finance, human resources and research and development departments.

“We are pleased to welcome CAIF to South Carolina,” S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers said. “Their investment in the state, through new operations in Lexington County, is a testament to South Carolina’s largest industry, agribusiness. We look forward to seeing this company develop.”

The facility is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2022. Job information is available online at https://www.caif.com/careers.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved a $75,000 Set-Aside grant to Lexington County to assist with costs related to the project.

“Lexington County is happy to welcome CAIF into our community,” Lexington County Council Chair Scott Whetstone said. “The establishment of this company will bring more job opportunities to our residents and allow the county to keep growing and moving in a positive direction.”