Egg producer Michael Foods, a subsidiary of food business group Post Holdings, has announced expansion plans for its precooked egg manufacturing and distribution facility located in Norwalk, Iowa.
The US$146 million expansion will add approximately 132,000 square-feet to the plant, which opened in 2019. The producer said construction is expected to begin in July 2023 with targeted completion in December 2024.
Michael Foods’ egg brands include Papetti’s, Abbotsford Farms and Davidson’s Safest Choice. The producer offers multiple egg products, such as precooked omelets or egg patties, frozen liquid egg mixes, hard-boiled eggs and fully cooked scrambled eggs.
“We appreciate the support we’ve received from the City of Norwalk and the Iowa Economic Development Authority,” stated Mark Westphal, Michael Foods President and Chief Executive Officer. “As the nation’s leader in valued-added egg products, this expansion will allow us to continue to meet our customers’ needs.”
According to WATT Global Media’s 2023 Top Egg Company Report, Michael Foods is the 10th largest egg producer in the U.S. with 9.8 million laying hens.
Michael Foods has expanded in other ways
In 2019, Michael Foods announced a partnership with plant-based egg company JUST Egg. The arrangement deemed Michael Foods the exclusive manufacturer, supplier and distributor of JUST Egg to foodservice and food ingredient customers. While meant to resemble real eggs, JUST egg products are mainly made of water, mung bean protein isolate and canola oil.
In 2021, Michael Foods acquired Almark Foods facilities in Arizona and Tennessee. The acquisition expanded the producer’s hard-boiled and deviled egg product offerings.
In 2021, Post Holdings announced that Michael Foods would be managing a facility producing mostly protein drink products that is still being constructed in central Ohio. Post Holdings plans to open the plant in 2023, which will create approximately 200 jobs for the area.
