US – The US-based consumer packaged goods holding company Post Holdings Inc. has invested in the expansion of its Michael Foods manufacturing and distribution facility in Norwalk, Iowa, to boost its egg production capacity.

Michael Foods produces and distributes value-added egg and potato products with its headquartered based in Hopkins in Minnesota.

Four of the unit’s brands, Papetti’s, Abbotsford Farms, Simply Potatoes and Easy Eggs, are distributed across the entire US.

The facility, which is currently 150,000 square feet, opened in 2019 and processes eggs and precooked egg products.

The project which is expected to begin in July and is expected to be completed in December 2024 involves the expansion of the facility with 132, 000 square feet.

“We are excited our continued growth led us to seek expansion in Norwalk, where we are an employer of choice. Once it is finished the expansion is expected to create approximately 186 new jobs,” Steve Schonhoff, senior vice president of integrated supply chain at Michael Foods said.

Mark Westpahal, the president and CEO of Michael Foods hailed the support from the city of Norwalk and the Iowa Economic Development Authority adding that the company will continue meeting the consumers’ demands as the nation’s leader in value-added egg products

The expansion represents a capital investment of $146 million, including acquiring machinery and equipment to increase capacity, according to the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Of the 186 new jobs expected from the project, 25 will pay $30.38 per hour, according to IEDA. The agency’s board approved $4.27 million in tax credits for the project through the state’s High-Quality Jobs Program.

In 2021 Michael Foods acquired Almark Foods, adding new Hard Cooked Egg capacities and capabilities to an already extensive production network.

According to Almark Foods’ CEO  Rick Anderson, Almark grew the retail hard-boiled egg business into a category leader and was pleased that Michael Foods would be able to take the business to the next level.

Upon completion of the acquisition, Almark was combined with Post’s existing Michael Foods egg business in which it had invested US$85m to build the egg and pre-cooked meat facility.

In 2022 Michael Foods entered into a partnership with Do Good Foods, a climate-forward food company that upcycles surplus food into nutrient-dense animal feed to create eggs that reduce greenhouse gases.

This partnership was able to give the two partners the capability to bring their customers to a truly sustainable solution without having to compromise on the nutrition, flavour or convenience of their eggs and egg products.

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