Batory Foods breaks ground on distribution facility in Illinois

Food ingredients distribution company Batory Foods broke ground on a 678,000ft² distribution facility in Wilmington, Illinois, US.

The facility will be constructed and developed by Illinois-based Alston Construction and Chicago-based Ridge Development.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Batory Foods president Ron Friedman said: "This Wilmington handling and distribution centre will be the flagship in the Batory organisation.

"It will set the standard for efficiency and food safety throughout the food industry."

The facility will feature advanced technology and incorporate environmentally responsible design elements such as remote-sensor LED lighting and electric car charging stations.

Following installation of these advanced technologies, the company aims to seek C-TPAT Certification and OSHA VPP status for the facility.

Batory Foods project manager for operations Jessica Stoja said: "Batory is financially strong, an industry leader, and is committed to social responsibility.

"We are determined to become an integral part of this community, and we will continue to expand opportunity within the City of Wilmington and throughout Will County."

The distribution facility will have two operating functions. The building’s north end will serve a full service distribution centre. A part of distribution from Batory’s Oakley, Illinois facility will shift to Wilmington.

The facility’s south end will provide third-party logistics services to New Zealand-based multinational dairy company Fonterra. Upon receipt of material from New Zealand, Batory will manage the inbound and outbound services related to that inventory.

Established in 1979, Batory Foods provides food, nutraceutical and fine ingredients for food and beverage manufacturers in the US.