Starbucks Plans Fifth U.S. Roasting Factory by 2014

Starbucks Corp. (SBUX), the world’s largest coffee-shop operator, said it will open a new plant in Augusta, Georgia, creating more than 140 manufacturing jobs.

The factory will cost $172 million and open in early 2014, the company said today in a statement.

Once complete, the facility will produce products currently manufactured abroad, including Starbucks VIA Ready Brew, as well as the coffee base for Frappuccino blended beverages and many of Starbucks ready-to-drink products.

The plant will be Seattle-based Starbucks’s fifth manufacturing facility in the U.S. The company’s existing network of four roasting facilities employ more than 830 people in Kent, Washington; York, Pennsylvania; Sandy Run, South Carolina; and Carson Valley, Nevada.

“During such challenging economic times, I am thrilled that we are creating jobs and building something special right here in Georgia,” said Peter Gibbons, executive vice president, Starbucks Global Supply Chain Operations.

Starbucks advanced 1.8 percent to $53.61 at the close in New York, extending its gain this year to 17 percent.

To contact the reporter on this story: Niamh Ring in New York at nring@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Robin Ajello at rajello@bloomberg.net