Snack products maker Diamond Foods has opened a new innovation center in Salem, Oregon, in order to bolster its product development capabilities.
The new 7,000ft2 center located next to the Kettle Brand potato chip facility houses R&D kitchen and lab to enable production of product samples.
The center also has a concept room designed for ideation and customer meetings, as well as a sensory evaluation center where the company conducts real-time product testing with consumers, according to the company.
Diamond Foods president and CEO Brian Driscoll said: "We are not just putting a stake in the ground, but an entire foundation and infrastructure committed to innovation and market leadership, as well as an experienced forward-thinking team to take advantage of it.
"Several retail customers have already visited the innovation center for joint collaboration meetings and recognize the potential for new product development this facility and the team affords."
This new facility will allow the company to develop products that are tailored to consumer requirements.
Diamond Foods currently offers its snack products under Kettle Brand, Pop Secret, Emerald Nuts and Diamond of California brands.
