Sunopta Inc. Announces Further Details on Its New Plant-Based Beverage Facility in the Dallas- Fort Worth, Texas
August 19, 2021 at 10:13 pm
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SunOpta Inc. announced further details on its new plant-based beverage facility in the Dallas- Fort Worth, Texas, metropolitan area. The new production facility, to be located in Midlothian, Texas, will initially be sized at 285,000 square feet, with the ability to be expanded to 400,000 square feet. When fully expanded, the new facility will be the largest plant
in SunOpta's Plant-Based Foods and Beverages network. This new facility, which is expected to be operational in late 2022, will bring up to 185 new high paying manufacturing and management jobs to the community. The city of Midlothian and Ellis County have approved a package of incentives, including a grant that will be awarded by Midlothian Economic Development upon completion of the facility and commencement of operations, and an eight- year tax abatement for a combined value of approximately $7.5 million. The new facility's location in the Dallas- Fort Worth metropolitan area will also further SunOpta's sustainability objectives, significantly reducing emissions through lower transportation usage. The facility will be operated pursuant to a 15-year lease, entered into on August 13, 2021, with customary extension options. The cost of the build-out of the facility is expected to be principally lease financed, with the manufacturing equipment expected to be primarily financed under SunOpta's existing delayed draw term loan, which was put in place in December 2020.
SunOpta Inc. provides sustainable, plant-based food and beverages. The Company manufactures organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. It operates as a manufacturer for natural and private label brands and also produces its own brands, including SOWN, Dream and West Life. Its product portfolio includes a range of plant-based beverages, including oat, almond, soy, coconut and rice milks and creamers. Its plant-based offerings include non-genetically modified (non-GMO), organic, and gluten-free products. Its consumer products portfolio includes protein shakes, teas, broths, and fruit snacks. The Company sells its products through various distribution channels, including branded products under co-manufacturing agreements to other branded food companies for their distribution and its own branded products to retail and foodservice customers. It also produces liquid and dry ingredients for internal use and for sale to other food and beverage manufacturers.