Hearthside Food Solutions has commenced operations at its nutrition bar facility in Boise, Idaho, expanding its bar production capacity in the US.
The facility takes the number of bar plants operated by Hearthside to nine in the US and Europe.
The bar production facility was idled shortly before being acquired by Hearthside in late 2015.
The 185,000 ft plant will enable the company to add immediate capacity to its growing bar network in the US.
Hearthside chairman and CEO Rich Scalise said: “This commencement validates our forward-looking investments in strategic contract manufacturing resources, providing customers with increased options and greater supply chain value.
“We will continue to invest and expand our world-class manufacturing network to meet the demands of premier food companies.”
The plant is expected to employ approximately 168 people when it reaches full production.
At the time of Boise nutritional bar facility acquisition, Hearthside also acquired VSI, a major nutritional bar producer in Europe.
VSI acquisition helped the company to gain access to additional research and development (R&D), formulation, and food science capabilities.
Hearthside said that the Boise facility will allow it to better leverage VSI expertise in the North American market.
Hearthside supply chain SVP Dwayne Hughes said: “This facility enables continued growth; adding new customers in the rapidly growing nutritional, sport, and breakfast bar markets.”
Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Hearthside is an independent baker and a contract manufacturer of grain-based food, snack products and packaging for some of the world’s leading premier brands.
Currently, it operates 24 production facilities in the US and Europe.
In August, it acquired a privately held contract manufacturer Oak State Products for undisclosed sum. Oak State has a manufacturing facility in the US.
Image: Hearthside starts operations at Boise nutritional bar facility. Photo courtesy of Hearthside Food Solutions.
