Heinz executives met with Pittsburgh city leaders Friday afternoon to discuss the company’s merger with Kraft.
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto met with the executives for about an hour and said he emphasized the importance of the Heinz legacy in the city.
The Heinz company was founded in Pittsburgh more than a century ago and still maintains its corporate headquarters on the city’s North Side.
Executives said the new company will have co-headquarters in Pittsburgh and Chicago.
“It's a very good deal for Pittsburgh and Heinz. We had a great meeting with the mayor and the county executive. We made it very clear that we are committed to Pittsburgh, and we look forward to being here for another 140 years,” said Heinz Vice President Michael Mullen.
Peduto and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald both said they believe the deal will be good for the city.
“They are committed to Pittsburgh. It's a long-term Pittsburgh corporation. I think the synergies that Kraft and Heinz are able to bring internationally, domestically by increasing their market share, so we don't anticipate losing any of the jobs and maybe even growing some,” said Fitzgerald.
