SunOpta, the Canada-based co-packer and private-label supplier, has expanded its stand-up pouch packaging at two US plants, with investment at a third site on the horizon.

The company has added a stand-up pouch packaging line at its frozen fruit facillity in Buena Park, California to meet rising demand, it said. It has also installed a "new pouch packaging capability" at its roasted snacks operations at its site in Wahpeton, North Dakota, a move that has helped its innovation pipeline.

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SunOpta said it will also invest in the packaging format at its fruit snack operations in Omak in Washington state, with the moves scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2016. The company outsources pouch packaged volumes for fruit snacks and the investment allow the products to be packaged internally, which it said would improve "efficiency and control over finished product".

"Our recent investment in pouch stand-up packaging capabilities throughout our integrated platform meets the growing customer and consumer demand for stand-up pouches in multiple categories including frozen fruit, roasted snacks and fruit snacks," president and COO Rik Jacobs said. "Stand-up pouches are quickly becoming preferred by many consumers, with 90% of consumers influenced by the package and 45% of consumers placing packaging ahead of price in buying decisions. The enhanced technology and added capacity has led to new customers and expanding order volumes from existing customers. Our investment is in line with our core two-touch strategy and supports our growth plans in value added consumer products."

SunOpta has announced two acquisitions in the last four weeks. It has struck a deal to buy Canadian fruit snacks firm Niagara Natural and an agreement to buy frozen fruit business Sunrise Growers.

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