Chr. Hansen has purchased the Banker Wire manufacturing facility in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, adding significantly to its presence in North America, in convenient proximity to its Milwaukee base. The company says it is taking this step is in response to an ever growing interest from US consumers in products made from natural, recognizable and safe ingredients, putting pressure on food and beverage producers to convert to natural colours.

The acquired facility will be renovated to become the new North American headquarters for the company’s Natural Colors Division, housing everything from production, to research and development, application and quality assurance labs, a pilot plant, a dedicated warehouse, as well as sales and marketing and other business support functions.

“This is the largest single investment for Natural Colors in recent years and demonstrates our commitment to the important North American market,” said Jacob Vishof Paulsen, acting Executive Vice President of Natural Colors Division. “Having the whole chain gathered in one place will allow for a fast and agile response to customer needs, supporting Chr. Hansen’s current and future business demands for the next decade – with room to grow.”

According to the company, the expansion will strengthen Chr. Hansen’s position with full supply chain capabilities to deliver natural colour solutions to current and future customers. The new state-of-the-art site will, it says, create better speed to market, based on more flexibility in production and supply chain and resulting in high quality products, faster.

“We partner with some of the greatest food brands in the world and indeed experience a big demand for natural ingredients,” said John Veidt, Plant Manager, Natural Colors Division. “With this expansion, we are increasing production capacity and adding new capabilities, enabling us to meet the rapidly increasing demand for natural colours in North America.”

Chr. Hansen will take over the building next year and initially employ 70-80 people.