An exclusive look inside Goya Foods' re-opened production facility

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An exclusive look at Goya Food's renovated facility

Goya president, Bob Unanue, gives Fox News Latino an inside look at the Latino food giant's freshly retooled Secaucus plant.

When Fox News Latino was offered an opportunity for an exclusive look at Goya Foods' newly retooled manufacturing center in Secaucus, New Jersey, we jumped at the opportunity.

Goya, everyone's favorite Hispanic food manufacturer, produces about 4 million cases filled of food at the plant, which used to house the company's headquarters along with producing case after case of beans, rice and flour.

Originally founded in 1936 by Don Prudencio Unanue Ortiz, who hailed from Valle de Mena, Spain. He then immigrated to Puerto Rico and later New York City. He changed the name of his company to Goya, based on a Moroccan sardine company he purchased.

The company started by selling imported Spanish olives and olive oil, but it has become a behemoth over the decades, and now posts annual sales of almost $1.5 billion.

The Goya headquarters were moved in June 2014 to the company's brand new facility in Jersey City, at which point the Secaucus plant began to get its equipment and layout renovated.

Goya's president and Prudencio's grandson, Bob Unanue, walked Fox News Latino through the plant, giving our team an exclusive look at their state-of-the-art facility.

Unanue said Goya is a kind of glue that connects customers with traditions and the taste of home.

“With a growing community of Latinos from 35 million to 70 million in this country, we put out the welcome mat with food that’s familiar, comforting, great tasting and good for you,” he told Fox News Latino.

Walking through the center, Unanue made a special effort to connect with his employees. He refers to the workers as the Goya family, and the feeling seems to be reciprocated.

The company employs over 3,500 people worldwide and produces more than 2,200 products that are available in grocery stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico as well as international markets.

This year the largest, Hispanic-owned U.S. food company celebrated its 80th anniversary.

Asked about the keys to the company's success, Unanue said, “I believe in surrounding myself with talented people who know more than I do. To stay on the cutting edge, we pride ourselves in the team we’ve built.”