Saval Foods has broken ground on a 230,000-square-foot headquarters and distribution center in Columbia, Md., that will consolidate several of the family-owned foodservice distributor’s operations and support its continued expansion across the Mid-Atlantic.
The new facility, located in Columbia Gateway, will combine Saval’s corporate offices with operations from Saval Foodservice, its broadline distribution business, and 1932 Specialty Produce & Meat, its fresh produce and fresh-cut meat operation. The company is developing the project in partnership with Howard Hughes Communities.
Saval plans to retain 391 full-time employees and create 107 additional jobs in Maryland over the next four years. The company said the larger, consolidated operation will provide additional capacity while improving efficiency and collaboration among its businesses.
“This new headquarters represents an important milestone for Saval Foods,” President and CEO Paul Saval said. “Bringing our operations together under one roof will allow us to work more efficiently, strengthen collaboration across our teams and create the space we need to continue growing.”
The company is targeting December 2027 for the move to the new facility. Saval said the operation will consolidate its current warehouse, transportation, office support, specialty cut steak and produce operations. During construction, the distributor will continue operating from four existing facilities in Howard County, Baltimore County and Baltimore City.
Founded in Baltimore in 1932 by Harry and Flora Saval, Saval began as a deli meat processor and distributor and has grown into a fourth-generation family business. The company describes Saval Foodservice as the largest family-owned independent broadline foodservice distributor headquartered in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region. Its service territory includes Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Delaware and southern Pennsylvania.
Executive Vice President Brian Saval said the project will give the company additional capacity as it approaches its 95th year in business.
“We’re incredibly excited to make this investment in Maryland and continue building on Saval’s long history in the region,” he said.
The project is receiving state and local economic development support. The Maryland Department of Commerce is making a $1.75 million conditional loan available through its Advantage Maryland program. Saval also is eligible for an $800,000 repayable loan through the Howard County Economic Development Authority’s Catalyst Fund and up to $175,000 in workforce training and development grants. The project site is within a designated Enterprise Zone, making the company eligible for state tax credits.