Pepperidge Farm to expand facility in Lakeland, Fla.

Pepperidge Farm Inc. on September 24 announced plans to invest in a new high-capacity bread production line at its Lakeland, Fla., bakery located at 2222 Interstate Drive. An addition will be constructed to house the new line, bringing the total area of the plant to 320,000 square feet. The line will increase the plant’s production capacity by 31 million loaves annually, enabling Pepperidge Farm to keep pace with the rapidly growing demand for its premium fresh breads in the Southeast.

Pepperidge Farm is a leading provider of premium quality baked goods, cookies, crackers and frozen food products and is currently the No. 2 fresh bread brand in the United States. Pepperidge Farm premium fresh breads have averaged double-digit sales growth in the rapidly expanding Southern Region for the past three years.

Pepperidge Farm expects to create 45 new jobs to help operate the new line when it is fully operational. This will bring the total employment at its Lakeland plant to 335. Construction of the plant addition and installation of the new bread line are expected to take about a year to complete with start-up anticipated for summer of 2008.

Pepperidge Farm president Pat Callaghan said, “Consumer demand for our premium fresh breads – especially Whole Grain and Natural varieties – has never been stronger. This new facility will enable us to meet that demand while maintaining the premium quality and freshness that have been Pepperidge Farm hallmarks for 70 years. Those are the standards on which Margaret Rudkin founded our company in 1937, and we have honored them ever since.”

Pepperidge Farm Lakeland plant manager Gary Tarr added, “With first-rate facilities and an outstanding group of employees, Pepperidge Farm Lakeland has been one of the company’s leading production sites since it opened in 1987. This expansion, and the new jobs it will add, will only make us better.”