Groupe Bel adds third facility in US

Groupe Bel adds third facility in US

Groupe Bel is investing US$100m (EUR75m) in its third facility in the US, in South Dakota. The 170,000 square foot facility will produce Mini Babybels. Construction is planned for this summer, and will create around 200 jobs by the time it’s open in 2014. Depending on market demand, a second phase will start in 2016-2017, with another 200 jobs.

Mini Babybel represents around one-third of Bel Brands sales in the US. To meet current demand, the company imports around 50% of the Mini Babybel business. Bel says it aims to attain sales volumes of 22m pounds or 10,000 tons (US) by next year. Groupe Bel’s two other production facilities in the US are in Kentucky and Wisconsin.