EAST BERNSTADT, Ky. — Truitt Bros. Inc. celebrated its expansion into the eastern United States with the grand opening of a new food processing plant in East Bernstadt, Ky. The new facility is the company's first location outside of the Pacific Northwest, establishing a bicoastal presence that will reduce distribution costs and maximize transportation efficiencies for food companies seeking shelf-stable contract packaging.
"As the market for portion-controlled convenience foods continued to build, we were starting to outgrow our facilities in Salem, Ore., and decided as a company to expand east," said David Truitt, vice president/co-owner. "East Bernstadt is the perfect location — the epicenter of the eastern half of the States; now every potential shipping destination in the continental U.S. is less than 12 hours away."
Truitt Bros., a custom formulator and co-packer of shelf-stable products, has been producing quality shelf-stable foods for more than 35 years. The company's family of products ranges from Oregon-native fruits and vegetables to microwaveable meals processed in shelf-stable trays, pouches, bowls, or cans. The East Bernstadt plant specializes in pre-prepared meals, which are contract packed for some of the largest food packaging companies in the world.
The new plant employs approximately 125 workers, with plans to grow to approximately 400 employees as the facility expands. More than 1,100 people applied for the current positions at a job fair Truitt Bros. hosted in July 2008.
After a year of renovations, the Truitt Bros. East Bernstadt plant hosted its grand opening on Dec. 4. After touring the facility, the more than 200 attendees sampled a variety of Truitt products, including D'Anjou Pears and Willamette Valley Whole Green Beans; Braised Beef Tips, Tuscan White Beans and Fuji Cinnamon Apples from Truitt's own Tru Flavors line; and Cheese Ravioli, Chicken Cacciatore, and Wedge Potatoes with Beef microwaveable meals.
