TEEX Announces Training Collaboration with Rich Products Corporation in Brownsville
Training will be conducted at the Texas A&M Rio Grande Valley Advanced Manufacturing Hub
The Texas A&M Rio Grande Valley Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Hub (RAMI) in Brownsville, TX, which is administered by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), has formed a collaboration with Rich Products Corporation to provide a training program in advanced manufacturing techniques for employees at its Brownsville manufacturing and distribution facility.
RAMI was established in 2021 by the Texas Legislature to enhance skills in demand by the advanced manufacturing sector in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), connecting residents and local industry to state-funded training they need to train, work and live in the RGV, while also stimulating the local economy.
“By working with community leaders and local industry, RAMI supports transforming the RGV into a leader in advanced manufacturing,” said Abel Campos, RAMI program manager. “We are thrilled to tailor a training program for Rich Products Corporation to support its workforce expansion and added capacity at the Brownsville facility. We can help grow the company and make a positive impact on the community in the process.”
Rich Products Corporation has been operating in Brownsville since 1993 and is undergoing a $117 million, 159,000 square-foot expansion which is the company’s largest capital campaign to date. About 60 production and warehouse job positions will be added to its current 435-employee workforce when the expansion is complete in July 2025.
“Rich’s was looking to expand and decided to invest here at our Brownsville location,” said Jessica White, human resources manager at the company’s Brownsville location. “Thanks to the multiple local partners and agencies available to help continue our success and the TEEX on-site training for our workforce, we will continue to make Brownsville successful.”
The training program, which begins this month, will cover three main areas: production worker knowledge and skills development; supervisor and manager training in continuous improvement processes; and management training to enhance customer service, ensure product quality and timely delivery, and boost productivity and company profitability.
The program is grounded in Lean Manufacturing business processes and project management tools, including the Value Stream Mapping assessment and planning tool, which allows managers to visualize each step in the production process to identify wasteful practices and opportunities for improvement to make the manufacturing process more efficient, while adding value to customers.
“We are looking forward to working with TEEX due to the agency’s experienced team and local on-site training, which is at no charge,” White said. “The fact we can conduct the training here at Rich’s around our equipment and processes, and TEEX can customize some of the training to meet our needs is a plus. This is a win-win for all of us. We get great trainers, and our associates get great training. We can’t wait to start.”
Rich Products Corporation, a global company, manufactures frozen appetizers and seafood products at its Brownsville facility. Since RAMI’s inception, more than 30 area companies have enrolled employees in training at the hub, and the program has awarded more than 18,000 certificates to participants, allowing those who live in the RGV to train and work there.
For more information about the TEEX training opportunities at RAMI, contact Abel Campos, Program Manager at [email protected] or (956) 524-5984.
Distributed by:
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
Vita Vaughn | Director of Marketing and Communications/CMO
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