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International Provisions and International Distribution Hold Grand Opening

On November 10, 2004 Mayor Amento, Representatives from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, members of the Economic Development Commission and Legislative Council attended the grand opening of two businesses International Provisions and International Distribution. Both companies are located in the Hamden Business Park.

Both companies participated in the Town’s Business Incentive Program and the State Enterprise Zone program. Each company received a combination of grants and tax abatements as a result of their participation.

International Provisions was founded in Connecticut in 1992. It began as a USDA food facility, specializing in Asian style fried pork skins, meatballs for noodle soups and Southeast Asian sausages. In 1996, the company expanded. It moved to Hamden’s Industrial Park, purchasing the Howard Sausage Plant and the Howard’s brand name. International sells pork skins under both the International and Howard’s brand names.

All of International’s products are made only from fresh, selected skins to ensure top quality and better taste. They are all old fashion kettle cooked to lock the flavor in. Howard's Pork Skins and Strips are harder and spicier than the International brand which is characterized as a fluffier pork skin with a milder seasoning.

The International and Howard's product lines have expanded well beyond the Asian market, and the company has had a phenomenal rate of growth in sales and popularity of its product lines across the mid west and east coast. Construction of an additional 5,000 sq ft of space to our current facility was completed in June of 2003, which provides more space for new cooking and packaging equipment, and has allowed the Company to increase production capacity. To complement this new cooking addition, a 12,000 sq ft warehouse for packing materials, spices, and inventory has been purchased.

International Distribution is an importing company also based in Hamden’s Industrial Park. The two companies now employ over 70 employees. International owns four buildings in Hamden’s Industrial Park, and leases an additional warehouse on Dixwell Avenue; all buildings encompass over 80,000 sq. ft. The company plans to use one newly purchased building for sausage manufacturing, and has plans to open a Thai culinary arts business school in early 2005.

Chongdee Leroux is the principal owner of International Distribution and International Provisions. She was born in Thailand, and emigrated to the United States in 1985. It is her vision and entrepreneurial spirit that has been responsible for the Companies’ tremendous growth and success over the past 12 years.

For further information about the Town of Hamden’s Business Incentive Program,. Contact Dale Kroop, Director at 203-287-7033 or twn.hmdn.edc@snet.net.