The bar production plant in Boise was acquired by Hearthside from a subsidiary of Post Holdings last summer, and has been idle since shortly before the acquisition.
In the period following the acquisition Hearthside rehired local plant staff and upgraded the plant. the factory will employ 168 staff when it reaches full production.
One of the lines at the 185,000 sq ft facility began production of bars again this week.
“This facility enables continued growth; adding new customers in the rapidly growing nutritional, sport, and breakfast bar markets,” said Dwayne Hughes, Hearthside senior vice president of supply chain.
“Boise is a strong, business-friendly market with a skilled workforce, outstanding infrastructure and easy access to the rest of the nation.”
Continue to invest
Hearthside Chairman and CEO Rich Scalise added that the business planned to continue investing in and expanding its manufacturing network to meet the demands of trade customers.
At around the same time it acquired the Boise facility, Hearthside also bought VSI, a major European producer of nutrition, diet, and functional bars.
And, as reported by this site, the business acquired Illinois bars and cookie producer Oak State Products this summer, taking the number of Hearthside production facilities across the US and Europe to 24.
“This commencement validates our forward-looking investments in strategic contract manufacturing resources,” he said.
Hearthside which is based in Downers Grove, Illinois, describes itself as the industry’s largest independent bar producer and largest contract manufacturer.
Overall sales in the US snack bars market have grown 4.2% year on year to $3.3bn in the first six months of this year [IRI 52w/e July 10 2016]. The performance has been led by nutrition bars, up 5.2% year on year.