Campbell Soup Co. has revealed plans to invest more than US$30m to build a 34,000 square foot innovation centre at its Pepperidge Farm facility.
The company said the investment reflects its efforts to increase the rate of innovation across its baking and snacking portfolio, which includes both its Pepperidge Farm unit and its Arnott’s business in Asia Pacific.
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“This investment is the latest step in our effort to drive increased innovation and create new products to delight consumers,” said COO and CEO-elect Denise Morrison. “Pepperidge Farm has delivered outstanding innovations that have contributed to the growth of Campbell for more than 50 years and we expect the new innovation centre to fuel further collaboration and growth across our global baking and snacking portfolio.”
The facility will house a “state-of-the-art” pilot plant with product development and testing lines, culinary kitchens, scientific labs and meeting rooms. The company expects to break ground on the project, pending permits and other governmental approvals, next month and plans to complete construction in autumn 2012.
The company said the move will enable it to conduct research and testing of new product concepts in a “much more and convenient and cost-effective way” and will support “greater innovation for both its bakery and snacks units”.
