BIDDEFORD — A growing produce company will soon occupy the former Flotation Technologies building at the Biddeford Industrial Park.

When Flotation Technologies closed its doors at the end of last year, both the closing and job losses were viewed as a significant blow for Biddeford.

But some of the jobs were saved when a new company, DeepWater Buoyancy, which acquired the rights to Flotation Technologies’ line of oceanic products, moved into a smaller space at 394 Hill St.

And soon the empty industrial park building will be abuzz again when Curran Company, currently located in Saco, moves in.

Curran Company processes and distributes produce to grocery stores, like Hannaford and Shaws, and food service companies, like Sysco, throughout the Northeast.

The company has outgrown its current location at 86 Industrial Park Road, said acting General Manager Bill Dubay, and plans to move to the 20 Morin St. location.

Last week, the Biddeford Planning Board unanimously granted site plan approval for the Biddeford location.

Only minor exterior work is needed, such as striping a single parking spot and conducting some drainage work, which are required as the use of the building is changed from light industrial to agricultural. The sign will also be changed.

Interior renovations will be required as well.

Curran Company, said Dubay, is the East Coast licensee for Green Giant Fresh.

The company now employs 100 people, and “we expect to increase significantly as we continue to grow,” adding more vegetables and herbs to Curran’s current produce line, he said.

Each year, said Dubay, Curran Company processes approximately 25 million pounds of vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, green beans, coleslaw mix, salad greens and more.

The company, according to the Curran website, was founded in 1940 by George Curran, who grew mung bean sprouts in his home basement and sold them to restaurants throughout southern Maine.

Roland Roberge purchased the business in 1979 and ran it with the help of his wife and five children, according to the website. Today, the company is operated by several of Roberge’s children and grandchildren.

Veridis LLC is purchasing the 52,000-square-foot building for use of Curran Company as the tenant.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.