North East, Pa., July 17 - Bay Valley Foods, a division of TreeHouse Foods, Inc., celebrated today an expansion of its North East, PA facility that has increased manufacturing capacity for its pourable salad dressings business and raised employment from approximately 130 to 190 since the start of the project in 2008.
Joining North East plant employees for the barbecue celebration were representatives from the Governor's Action Team, Erie County Executive's Office, Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper's Office, the Erie Regional Chamber of Commerce, North East Chamber of Commerce, Borough and Township of North East, and key vendors and equipment suppliers.
David B. Vermylen, President and Chief Operating Officer of TreeHouse Foods, said, "The North East plant expansion is tangible evidence of our commitment to strategic growth through private label categories that offer North American consumers quality, choice and value." The North East plant was part of TreeHouse Foods' 2007 acquisition of E.D. Smith. In addition to private label and contract production of salad dressings, the North East plant also produces barbecue sauces, cooking sauces, syrups and marinades. The expansion substantially increases the production capacity of the plant.
Harry J. Walsh, President of Bay Valley Foods, praised the performance of the internal team that planned and oversaw construction and logistics for the 130,000 square foot expansion. "The 30-member team was led by Vice President of Business Development William G. Lewis and was comprised of employees from North East, our Canadian operations and our corporate office in Westchester, IL," Walsh said.
William G. Lewis acknowledged the support and cooperation of the Governor's Action Team and Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership officials and their commitment to make Erie and Pennsylvania an economic leader by investing in the growth of businesses like Bay Valley Foods.
About TreeHouse Foods
TreeHouse Foods is a food manufacturer servicing primarily the retail grocery and foodservice channels. Its products include non-dairy powdered coffee creamer; private label soup, salad dressings and sauces; salsa and Mexican sauces; jams, jellies and pie fillings under the E.D. Smith brand name; pickles and related products; infant feeding products; and other food products including aseptic sauces, refrigerated salad dressings, and liquid non-dairy creamer.