The Economy

Specialty Chemical Manufacturer Plans $16 Million Expansion at St. Louis Facility

April 26, 2010

Expansion will create the largest natural colors plant in North America, according to Sensient Technologies.

Sensient Technologies Corp., a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of colors, flavors and fragrances for food and beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical and other products, recently announced plans for a $16 million expansion at its Color Group headquarters in St. Louis.

Sensient will build an additional 25,000-square-foot facility dedicated to natural colors production, and it will include major new equipment for natural color emulsions, dispersions and liquid colors, according to the company.

Sensient claims the facility will be the largest and most advanced natural colors plant in North America.

The expansion is the latest in a series of investments to expand Sensients natural color global capabilities. Previous investments include an increase in emulsion capability in Hamburg, Germany; a new facility in Guangzhou, China; and expanded capacity in anthocyanins in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

The investments in Sensients natural color operations will total more than $50 million, according to the company.

This major new investment emphasizes the growing importance of natural colors for food and beverages, said Kenneth Manning, chairman and CEO of Sensient Technologies. The trend toward natural colors is accelerating, and this new manufacturing plant will further promote the conversion to natural colors by large food and beverage manufacturers. Our natural color investments ensure that we will remain in the forefront of the industry with state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technologies.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.