Parma / IT. (bg) Barilla Group, leader in the pasta, sauce and baked goods sectors, announced expansion plans at its manufacturing facility in Ames, Iowa. Barilla will be investing approximately 26.5 million USD to install two new production lines dedicated to its gluten-free pasta.
Construction is slated to begin in late March 2015, with production starting by October 2015. When fully operational, the project will create 23 new jobs. In addition to the new production lines, the Ames facility will also be adding raw material storage and related packaging and palletizing equipment to produce gluten-free pasta.
«This expansion signals Barilla´s commitment to providing delicious, versatile, and quality options for those living a gluten-free lifestyle», said Jean-Pierre Comte, Barilla Group President, Region Americas. «The investment will improve product availability not just here in the U.S., but around the world».
The gluten-free pasta produced at the Ames facility will be shipped to Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Australia, as well as locations across the U.S. Made with non-GMO corn and rice, Barilla´s gluten-free pasta is available in four varieties – Spaghetti, Penne, Rotini and Elbows.
Barilla received support from local and state government to secure training grants and tax incentives for the project. «We were originally sold on Ames because of Iowa´s incredible work ethic and its top-notch workforce», said Comte. «We are thrilled to be expanding our roots in this community and to work with a state that values and supports manufacturers».
«Barilla´s decision to invest in this facility speaks volumes about their commitment to Ames», said Ames Economic Development Commission Executive Vice President for Existing Business and Industry Ron Hallenbeck. «We understand they have options on where to invest their capital Dollars and we value their dedication to the gluten-free market with this expansion, which once again demonstrates the strength and attractiveness of our Ames workforce and business environment».
The Ames facility, which currently has 162 employees and four production lines, opened in 1998 and was Barilla´s first manufacturing plant in the United States. The plant makes most of Barilla´s pasta cuts and is capable of producing 125’000 tons of pasta annually.
