Dive Brief:
- Specialty snack purveyor Pure Foods has opened its new global headquarters and principal manufacturing center at Gateway Commerce Park in Kingsport, TN.
- The high-tech, 88,000-square-foot plant will serve the U.S., Canada, and Mexico markets with the company's better-for-you snack foods.
- Along with the facility's opening, Pure Foods announced its acquisition of Guiltless Gourmet baked tortilla chips from the Manischewitz Company, which went into effect Jan. 1.
Dive Insight:
The innovative techniques and technologies implemented at the new facility enable Pure Foods to integrate fresh fruits and vegetables into its snack products. Reformulating products with more whole fruits and vegetables is an increasingly common way for companies to meet consumers' ingredient demands. Another popular addition is nuts, particularly almonds as prices for manufacturers continue to decrease.
Pure Foods' new acquisition is in line with others in the food industry, as more companies expand their snack offerings in response to consumers' growing preference for convenience. Last month, General Mills announced its acquisition of meat snacks maker EPIC Provisions, and last February, Mondelez acquired Enjoy Life Foods, which produces free-from snacks.
Companies are also launching their own snack brands or making their flagship products more snack-friendly. Hershey recently announced the regional launch of its SoFit better-for-you snacks brand, and Kellogg recently introduced Kellogg's To Go Breakfast Mix, which offers a new eating opportunity for breakfast cereal. Snacking has become a meal replacement for many consumers, and manufacturers are responding by giving consumers quick, convenient bites they can eat on the go.
As the trend grows, however, increased competition could disrupt the industry. It's up to manufacturers to keep up with the latest trends before they start to lose market share to other innovations.