Leading Plant-Based Food and Beverage Company Brings Storage and Distribution In-House with the Opening of its New Alexandria Warehouse, Aiding in Plant Production Growth and Improving its Sustainability Impact
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN (October 26, 2023) — SunOpta (Nasdaq: STKL) (TSX: SOY), a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based foods and beverages, opened a new warehouse in Alexandria, Minnesota that marks a significant step in SunOpta's ongoing commitment to enhancing its storage and distribution capabilities while aligning with the company's ambitious growth targets. The opening of this warehouse brings SunOpta's distribution operations completely in-house and consolidates three sites in Alexandria to one. The new warehouse will hold finished goods, raw materials and ingredients and will improve overall customer service and expand SunOpta's handling and storage capabilities.
"This new warehouse plays a pivotal role in SunOpta's long-term strategy and aligns seamlessly with our company goals to double our plant-based business by 2025 and drive sales to $2 billion by 2030,” said Joe Ennen, CEO of SunOpta. “With cutting-edge infrastructure and equipment, this new warehouse is poised to consolidate our operations, as well as improve our sustainability impact by reducing mileage and associated fuel costs with distribution. As Minnesota is home to our headquarters, we are encouraged to continue expanding in this area, and are empowered to meet the growing demand for plant-based food and beverage offerings.”
This impressive $31 million, 252,000-square-foot warehouse will play a crucial role in supporting SunOpta's production of plant-based milks and creamers. The company anticipates cost savings between $60-$250k per year with the new warehouse, along with a significant reduction of at least 5,000 gallons of consumed diesel and over 100,000 pounds of CO2 emissions annually when compared to the current network. The warehouse offers an impressive capacity of approximately 20,000 pallet positions and was constructed with the foresight for future expansion, allowing for an additional 75,000 square feet of space. This approach ensures that the warehouse can quickly adapt to the growing demands of the business, providing flexibility and efficiency for years to come.
The warehouse is anticipated to employ a workforce of approximately eight to ten individuals and within the first two years of its opening, SunOpta plans to bring on board a minimum of five additional full-time employees to provide further essential support. The warehouse is located at 2930 34th Avenue West in Alexandria, Minnesota.
SunOpta celebrated the opening of its new Alexandria warehouse on October 26, 2023 with a tree planting ceremony to commemorate the growth, collaboration, and commitment to sustainability this new warehouse will uphold.
For more information on SunOpta, visit sunopta.com and follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based foods and beverages. Founded nearly 50 years ago, SunOpta manufactures natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including Sown®, Dream® and West Life™. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN (October 26, 2023) — SunOpta (Nasdaq: STKL) (TSX: SOY), a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based foods and beverages, opened a new warehouse in Alexandria, Minnesota that marks a significant step in SunOpta's ongoing commitment to enhancing its storage and distribution capabilities while aligning with the company's ambitious growth targets. The opening of this warehouse brings SunOpta's distribution operations completely in-house and consolidates three sites in Alexandria to one. The new warehouse will hold finished goods, raw materials and ingredients and will improve overall customer service and expand SunOpta's handling and storage capabilities.
"This new warehouse plays a pivotal role in SunOpta's long-term strategy and aligns seamlessly with our company goals to double our plant-based business by 2025 and drive sales to $2 billion by 2030,” said Joe Ennen, CEO of SunOpta. “With cutting-edge infrastructure and equipment, this new warehouse is poised to consolidate our operations, as well as improve our sustainability impact by reducing mileage and associated fuel costs with distribution. As Minnesota is home to our headquarters, we are encouraged to continue expanding in this area, and are empowered to meet the growing demand for plant-based food and beverage offerings.”
This impressive $31 million, 252,000-square-foot warehouse will play a crucial role in supporting SunOpta's production of plant-based milks and creamers. The company anticipates cost savings between $60-$250k per year with the new warehouse, along with a significant reduction of at least 5,000 gallons of consumed diesel and over 100,000 pounds of CO2 emissions annually when compared to the current network. The warehouse offers an impressive capacity of approximately 20,000 pallet positions and was constructed with the foresight for future expansion, allowing for an additional 75,000 square feet of space. This approach ensures that the warehouse can quickly adapt to the growing demands of the business, providing flexibility and efficiency for years to come.
The warehouse is anticipated to employ a workforce of approximately eight to ten individuals and within the first two years of its opening, SunOpta plans to bring on board a minimum of five additional full-time employees to provide further essential support. The warehouse is located at 2930 34th Avenue West in Alexandria, Minnesota.
SunOpta celebrated the opening of its new Alexandria warehouse on October 26, 2023 with a tree planting ceremony to commemorate the growth, collaboration, and commitment to sustainability this new warehouse will uphold.
For more information on SunOpta, visit sunopta.com and follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based foods and beverages. Founded nearly 50 years ago, SunOpta manufactures natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including Sown®, Dream® and West Life™. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Leading Plant-Based Food and Beverage Company Increases Manufacturing Capabilities at Omak, Washington Facility to Fulfill Customer Demand
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN (October 4, 2023) — SunOpta (Nasdaq: STKL) (TSX: SOY), a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, is proud to announce the expansion of its Omak, Washington facility, which is marked by a new fruit snack production line. The new line represents a substantial capacity increase for SunOpta, further allowing the company to produce more of its existing better-for-you fruit snack products, including fruit bars and strips. With this expansion, the output of the Omak facility is set to nearly double, demonstrating SunOpta's commitment to meeting the growing demands of its customers and enhancing its production capabilities.
"The opening of our new production line in Omak is crucial to continuing to support the rapid growth we have seen in this business" said Joe Ennen, Chief Executive Officer of SunOpta. "This expansion not only helps meet the current customer demands and rising trends for better-for-you snack products but also positions SunOpta for further growth as fruit snacks continue to develop as a rapidly growing sector for our business. As we continue to prioritize innovation and respond to market trends, we remain focused on delivering organic and sustainable plant-based food solutions that align with our mission."
The expansion includes the new production line, which is producing products for purchase, and state-of-the-art packing equipment. This investment underscores SunOpta's commitment to innovation and quality, ensuring its fruit snacks continue to meet the highest standards of taste and nutrition. The Omak facility spans approximately 85,000 square feet and employs 177 local team members, with the average employee having worked at the facility for nearly nine years. The expansion is met with the promotion of longtime 20-year employee, Terry Llewellyn, as the new plant manager in Omak to guide the next chapter for the facility.
SunOpta also works tirelessly to reduce food waste in its value chains. For example, in its fruit segment, SunOpta commercializes and sells almost all parts of the fruit to ensure little to no fruit is wasted. The company actively works to prevent food waste by leveraging facility capabilities to connect growers with alternative buyers for fruit that would otherwise go unused. SunOpta's multifaceted approach underscores its commitment to minimizing waste and fostering a sustainable food system.
For more information about SunOpta and its fruit-based snacks business, visit www.sunopta.com.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq: STKL) (TSX: SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. Founded nearly 50 years ago, SunOpta manufactures natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN®, Dream®, West Life™ and Sunrise Growers®. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com and LinkedIn.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN (October 4, 2023) — SunOpta (Nasdaq: STKL) (TSX: SOY), a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, is proud to announce the expansion of its Omak, Washington facility, which is marked by a new fruit snack production line. The new line represents a substantial capacity increase for SunOpta, further allowing the company to produce more of its existing better-for-you fruit snack products, including fruit bars and strips. With this expansion, the output of the Omak facility is set to nearly double, demonstrating SunOpta's commitment to meeting the growing demands of its customers and enhancing its production capabilities.
"The opening of our new production line in Omak is crucial to continuing to support the rapid growth we have seen in this business" said Joe Ennen, Chief Executive Officer of SunOpta. "This expansion not only helps meet the current customer demands and rising trends for better-for-you snack products but also positions SunOpta for further growth as fruit snacks continue to develop as a rapidly growing sector for our business. As we continue to prioritize innovation and respond to market trends, we remain focused on delivering organic and sustainable plant-based food solutions that align with our mission."
The expansion includes the new production line, which is producing products for purchase, and state-of-the-art packing equipment. This investment underscores SunOpta's commitment to innovation and quality, ensuring its fruit snacks continue to meet the highest standards of taste and nutrition. The Omak facility spans approximately 85,000 square feet and employs 177 local team members, with the average employee having worked at the facility for nearly nine years. The expansion is met with the promotion of longtime 20-year employee, Terry Llewellyn, as the new plant manager in Omak to guide the next chapter for the facility.
SunOpta also works tirelessly to reduce food waste in its value chains. For example, in its fruit segment, SunOpta commercializes and sells almost all parts of the fruit to ensure little to no fruit is wasted. The company actively works to prevent food waste by leveraging facility capabilities to connect growers with alternative buyers for fruit that would otherwise go unused. SunOpta's multifaceted approach underscores its commitment to minimizing waste and fostering a sustainable food system.
For more information about SunOpta and its fruit-based snacks business, visit www.sunopta.com.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq: STKL) (TSX: SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. Founded nearly 50 years ago, SunOpta manufactures natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN®, Dream®, West Life™ and Sunrise Growers®. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com and LinkedIn.