General Mills is set to invest $48m in expanding its frozen dough plant in Missouri, responding to foodservice customers’ increasing demand and the need for product innovation in the food and beverage industry. Construction is already underway and is expected to be completed by early 2024.
The expansion project aims to boost the manufacturing and packaging capacity at the Joplin site, enabling it to produce over 1 billion pounds of frozen dough products annually. To enhance operational efficiency, General Mills plans to implement new technology, including semi-automated processing and packaging.
Tim Johnson, the plant manager at the Joplin site, emphasizes General Mills’ commitment to accelerating business growth and investment in the frozen dough sector. This move aligns with their goal of supporting continued expansion and meeting the evolving demands of the food and drink consumer trends.
In its 2023 financial year, General Mills achieved net sales of $20.1bn, marking a 5.7% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, their North American retail division witnessed a significant 9% year-on-year growth, with sales reaching $12.6bn.
As part of their strategic plans, General Mills previously announced the closure of a pet-food factory in Iowa and the expansion of a snack factory and warehouse in Illinois. These decisions align with their pet supply chain strategy, aiming to support long-term growth opportunities.
In addition, General Mills acquired TNT Crust, a frozen pizza-crust business based in Wisconsin, demonstrating their commitment to diversifying their product portfolio and expanding their presence in the food and beverage industry.
