Baking&Snack - August 2012 - 14

newsfront
Hearthside Food Solutions expanding in Kentucky
Hearthside Food Solutions LLC, Downers Grove, IL, plans to invest $1.4 million in London, KY, to add a cookie/cracker production line and new packaging equipment and to create 80 jobs. “It’s always exciting to see a company continue to invest in its Kentucky facility, increase jobs and help grow the economy here in the commonwealth,” Governor Steve Beshear said. “We’re pleased to partner with Hearthside to help create 80 new jobs and further bolster Kentucky’s food and beverage industry as well as the local economy in London and the surrounding area.” Founded in 2009, Hearthside is a fullservice contract manufacturer of grainbased foods and snack products. The company operates 13 food manufacturing facilities in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota and Oregon. “Hearthside’s cookie factory has been part of Laurel County for generations, confirming our commitment to both our people and our community,” said Doug Sherman, vice-president of manufacturing for Hearthside. “Continued investment, including this expansion, is good for our people, for Kentucky and for our company.” — Eric Schroeder, managing editor, Milling & Baking News

AMF expands reach with purchase of Tromp
AMF Bakery Systems, Richmond, VA, acquired Tromp Bakery Equipment BV and affiliated entities, a global supplier of baking equipment based in Gorinchem, The Netherlands. Tromp designs and manufactures sheeting lines for bakers worldwide. “We are excited to join forces with Tromp,” said Ken Newsome, president of AMF. “They have an excellent reputation for quality and innovation in the growing market of pies, pizza, pastries and other specialty items. Additionally, as industrial bakers explore sheeting as part of their approach to bread makeup, this gives us leading-edge technology to help our traditional AMF customers.” Bas Tromp, founder of Tromp, will continue as president. “As I considered slowing down and thought about the future of my company, I wanted a place that would build on what we have accomplished,” Mr. Tromp said. “I feel that AMF and its affiliation with Markel [Ventures, Richmond, VA,] make a unique organization that will best serve our customers and the people who helped build this company. We have very similar values with AMF when it comes to innovation, taking care of our people and especially taking care of our customers.” Mr. Newsome added, “Bas Tromp has built a great business based on providing innovative solutions to bakers producing sheeted and laminated products, and we are grateful to have such a leading-edge company join the AMF and Markel family.”

Canada-based Ace Bakery lured to the US
The Cherokee County Council in South Carolina approved an incentive package that is expected to lead Toronto, ON-based Ace Bakery, Inc. to invest at least $17 million in Gaffney, SC, and create about 50 new jobs. As part of the investment, Ace is expected to renovate the former Romeo Rim facility in Cherokee Corporate Park. Founded in 1993, Ace Bakery, a part of Toronto, ON-based George Weston Ltd., is a manufacturer and supplier of artisan and European-style bread, baguettes and rolls. “Thanks to the incredible support of our US food service and retail clients, demand for Ace Bakery products in the US continues to grow at a tremendous rate,” Ace Bakery said on its website. “The time is right to start baking closer to our US clients, and our first US bakery is scheduled to open in the Southeast this fall. We’ll be announcing the exact location shortly.” The company said the new bakery will make a broad selection of baguettes, breads and rolls using best-in-class European equipment, traditional artisan baking methods and state-of-the-art baking facilities. — Eric Schroeder, managing editor, Milling & Baking News

/ Baking & Snack / August 2012

www.bakingandsnack.com

http://www.bakingandsnack.com

Baking&Snack - August 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Baking&Snack - August 2012