Described as the “best kept secret” in Manhattan, officials from AIB International, the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Riley County, and the city of Manhattan were represented at a Wednesday afternoon groundbreaking for a $7.5 million building project.
President and CEO Andre Biane welcomed those in attendance, telling the large crowd gathered of the company’s global enterprise with headquarters in Manhattan, reaching more than 120 countries, with five geographical regions which include Europe, the Middle East and Africa, China, Mexico and Latin America, and Asia/Pacific. He added there are more than 300 employees with about a third in Manhattan and the others internationally based.
Biane said, “We are growing in North America and internationally.” He talked of employee growth this past year with 41 food safety professionals, three baking profesisonals locally, and related support staff here and abroad.
Biane also talked about the addition of the new 10,000 square foot office building, along with a significant renovation of the teaching labs, experimental labs, and pilot plant. The new administration building should be completed by later this year.
Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce President Lyle Butler also spoke, saying this is always very exciting for the Chamber and community, when you can see “an existing business grow and expand and develop.” Butler also mentioned the “best kept secret,” saying this is a huge step in the direction of changing that.
Manhattan City Commissioner Rich Jankovich told KMAN following the groundbreaking ceremony “It’s one of the best kept secrets in the community and it shouldn’t be,” adding it’s been a great partnership.
Riley County Commission Chair Ron Wells indicated he’s always been very proud of AIB and that it has been an important contribution to Manhattan.
AIB International is almost into its second century , beginning in 1919 in Chicago. It was almost 37 years ago when the first building in Manhattan was started when headquarters were moved here.
