TreeHouse expanding presence in Omaha

Jan. 14--TreeHouse Foods, the Oak Brook-based private-label food company, announced Wednesday that it will keep 280 ConAgra Foods employees in Omaha after the acquisition of ConAgra's private-label business.

In November, TreeHouse announced its planned $2.7 billion acquisition of ConAgra Foods' struggling off-brand business. Initially, TreeHouse expected to hire about 140 of ConAgra's private-label employees who are based in Omaha. On Wednesday, TreeHouse announced it would double that number and also open a new office in the Nebraska city.

TreeHouse CEO Sam Reed has described the deal, expected to close in the first quarter of this year, as "transformational" for TreeHouse.

"This will mark TreeHouse's first office location in Omaha and will allow us to have all of our new Omaha-based employees together in one building. We recognize that customer service and business infrastructure are critical to serve existing customers and to drive the success of the business," Reed said in a statement Wednesday.

In total, 9,500 employees now supporting ConAgra's private-label business are expected to work for TreeHouse after the deal is complete, according to a company news release. The 280 based in Omaha represent back-office functions like customer service, information technology, and research and development.

TreeHouse also has offices in suburban Downers Grove and St. Louis.