FRANKFORT, Ky. (Mar. 5, 2026) — International airline catering company MarfoFMA Corp. announced plans to establish its first U.S. production facility in Covington, Kentucky, investing more than $37 million and creating 78 new jobs in Northern Kentucky.
The project, secured during Kentucky’s October 2025 economic development trade mission to Europe, will support the company’s growing North American operations and strengthen the Commonwealth’s expanding food and beverage manufacturing sector.
“Today’s announcement is another example of Kentucky’s strong economic momentum and our ability to attract companies from around the world,” said Governor Andy Beshear. “MarfoFMA’s decision to locate its first U.S. production facility in Covington will bring quality job opportunities to Kentuckians while strengthening our position as a leader in advanced food production and logistics.”
Expanding Airline Catering Production in North America
The Covington facility will focus on the development and production of premium frozen meals for airline clients, leveraging MarfoFMA’s expertise in industrial food manufacturing, food safety protocols and global supply chain logistics.
The new operation will also allow the company to expand its North American production capacity, which is currently supported through its existing facility in Quebec, Canada.
“This investment represents an important milestone for the Fleury Michon Group and our international airline catering operations,” said Arnaud Prévéraud, Area Manager for North America at MarfoFMA. “By establishing a production facility in Covington, we will strengthen our ability to serve airline customers across the United States while building a skilled local workforce that can support our long-term growth in the region.”
Global Company Expanding into the U.S. Market
MarfoFMA is part of the Fleury Michon Group, a family-owned food company founded in 1905 and widely recognized across Europe for its high-quality prepared foods.
The company expanded into the airline catering market in 2006 with the acquisition of FMA in Quebec, followed by the acquisition of Marfo in the Netherlands in 2019. These strategic moves helped establish Fleury Michon as a major player in international airline catering across Europe and North America.
The Covington facility will support production for airline, rail and hospitality clients across the continent while providing access to a skilled workforce that includes production specialists, logistics professionals and machine operators.
Revitalizing an Existing Industrial Facility
Local leaders say the project will also help revitalize an existing industrial property in the city.
“We’re proud to welcome MarfoFMA to Covington and honored that they selected our city for their first U.S. location,” said Covington Mayor Ron Washington. “Transforming the former White Castle distribution facility into a thriving food manufacturing operation brings new jobs and new energy to South Covington.”
Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann also praised the company’s decision to invest in the region.
“We’re excited to welcome MarfoFMA to Kenton County,” Knochelmann said. “Creating better job opportunities for our residents is a top priority, and this investment will help achieve that goal.”
Regional economic development leaders say the project further strengthens Northern Kentucky’s position as a hub for food manufacturing.
“MarfoFMA is a great addition to the strong food and flavoring manufacturing cluster in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region,” said Lee Crume, CEO of BE NKY Growth Partnership. “We’re excited that food served to travelers across North America will soon be produced right here in Northern Kentucky.”
Building on Kentucky’s Economic Momentum
The investment continues what state leaders describe as Kentucky’s strongest six-year period of economic growth, driven by international investment, supply chain expansion and workforce development initiatives.
For more information about the company, visit MarfoFMA.com.
