ZEPHYRHILLS — For months, Edmelinda Arce drove past a huge construction site on her way home. She would watch the cranes, the steel structures and the constant movement of workers erecting what would become one of Bauducco Foods’ new production plants in the United States.
Every time she passed by, she would tell herself: “I want to work there.”
She didn’t know anyone at the company; she simply knew that the construction project represented a chance to start a new chapter in her career. Today, that intuition has become a reality.
Edmelinda, a Puerto Rican resident of Zephyrhills, works in the Quality Control department at Bauducco — a company with Italian roots and an established presence in Brazil that is now betting on growth in Central Florida through an investment poised to transform the local economy and create hundreds of jobs.
Her story is familiar. In the corridors of the new plant, you hear accents from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia, and other Latin American countries. These are workers who found much more than just a job at Bauducco: they found an opportunity to build a future.
“I started on June 8 as a regular employee, and just a week later, I was promoted to Quality Control,” Arce says with a smile.
Although she had never worked in that field before, she says the learning process has been continuous. “No one leaves you on your own here. There is always someone willing to teach you. They walk alongside you so you can grow within the company.”
Her responsibilities involve verifying that every production batch meets strict quality standards before reaching the consumer. She analyzes laboratory samples, monitors moisture and pH levels, and participates in X-ray inspections to ensure product safety.
But what stands out most isn’t the machinery or the technology.
“They made me feel welcome from day one,” she said. “Since I speak both English and Spanish, I never felt that language was a barrier. That means a lot to those of us starting a new job.”
A company where speaking Spanish also opens doors
That multicultural atmosphere extends throughout the entire plant. For María Mayuri, a native of Venezuela, Bauducco has been much more than just a workplace; it has been a company that has supported her professional growth.
She arrived seven years ago when she emigrated to the United States. She started in the distribution department in Miami, and when the company decided to open its new factory in Zephyrhills, she accepted the challenge of moving and starting a new chapter.
“I started from scratch, and today I am a Quality Control Supervisor.” She speaks with pride about the growth the company is experiencing.
“What we see today is just the beginning. This building will continue to grow and fill up with new production lines. There is a tremendous future ahead.”
For her, Bauducco’s success also stems from the diversity of its team. “Americans and people from many Latin American countries work here. Everyone has the same opportunities.”
Her invitation is simple and direct: “If you are looking for a job, bring your resume. The doors are open.”
A commitment to the community
Behind this investment lies a carefully considered decision. Bauducco Global CEO Stefano Mozzi explains that the company evaluated various regions of the United States before choosing Zephyrhills as the site for its new plant.
“We consider ourselves Floridians because our story began in Miami. We analyzed several options — five states in total — but in Zephyrhills, we found a community that believed in our project from the very beginning.”
Mozzi says that the support from Pasco County and local authorities was a decisive factor in establishing the factory in the city. But there was another goal as well.
“We were told that many people from Zephyrhills had to commute to other cities for work every day because there was little industry here. We wanted to change that reality and offer jobs close to where people live.”
The plant is currently operating in its first production phase, with a projected 150 to 200 direct jobs. However, plans go far beyond that.
The company, which was expected to invest over $200 million in the new facility, is already considering two new expansion stages that, provided sales growth continues, will allow the workforce to reach nearly 600 employees in the coming years.