The City of Norwalk Announces Record-Breaking Industrial Expansion with Michael Foods, in Norwalk's Certified Site
Media Contact for the City of Norwalk:
Tai Lieu, Marketing and Communications Specialist
TLieu@Norwalk.Iowa.Gov
(515)-201-6185
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023
The City of Norwalk Announces Record-Breaking Industrial Expansion with Michael Foods, in Norwalk’s Certified Site
- Creation of 186 new jobs anticipated at manufacturing and distribution facility
- Additional 132,000 SF and $146M Investment
- Construction to start in July 2023
NORWALK, IA, April 21, 2023- The City of Norwalk announced today that Michael Foods (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Post Holdings) a consumer packaged goods holding company, is expanding its manufacturing and distribution facility in Norwalk, Iowa. Michael Foods was one of two large companies including Windsor Windows, which propelled Norwalk’s Certified Site to become the first in the state of Iowa to reach capacity in 2019.
The 150,000-square-foot facility, which processes eggs and precooked egg products, opened in 2019. The expansion will add approximately 132,000 square feet and is expected to create an estimated 186 new jobs. Construction is expected to begin in July 2023 with targeted completion in December 2024.
Michael Foods is based in Hopkins, Minnesota. The company’s food service brands include Papetti’s® and Simply Potatoes®. Michael Foods is the largest processor of value-added eggs in the United States.
“We are excited our continued growth led us to seek expansion in Norwalk, where we are an employer of choice,” said Steve Schonhoff, Senior Vice President of the integrated supply chain. “We appreciate the support we’ve received from the City of Norwalk and the Iowa Economic Development Authority,” added Mark Westphal, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Michael Foods. “As the nation’s leader in value-added egg products, this expansion will allow us to continue to meet our customers’ needs.”
“Since Michael Foods built their original facility in Norwalk a few years ago, they have been nothing but wonderful to work with. Their generosity to the community is humbling, and we continue to be impressed with their high-quality products and fantastic employment opportunities. We welcome their expansion and look forward to many more years of valued partnership with the entire Michael Foods team!” ~Mayor Tom Phillips, City of Norwalk
“The City of Norwalk recognizes the immense value that top-quality industrial companies and large employers like Michael Foods bring to the communities, counties, and states that they choose to locate in. Their continued success and growth will only benefit residents and other businesses here for decades to come. Norwalk is blessed to have this business and we’re honored to call them one of our own.” ~Luke Nelson, Norwalk City Manager
“We initially began talks with Michael Foods in 2016 when the Greater Des Moines Partnership sent a ‘request for proposal’ to communities around the Des Moines metro with developable sites. It took many months of hard work, negotiations, competing against other states for the project, and creative strategies to bring this enormous and fantastic project to fruition in Norwalk. Michael Foods has since proven to be one of the best companies to locate in the region, and we are eternally grateful that they chose Norwalk. And now, they’ve chosen Norwalk again. Having a State Certified Site and close proximity to the Des Moines International Airport, I-35, and major highways have been great selling points for companies that consider building in Norwalk. The City is incredibly excited for this expansion and addition of high-quality jobs, new product lines, and economic value to the entire state of Iowa. ~Hollie Zajicek, Economic Development Director, City of Norwalk. For more information on commercial developments and projects in Norwalk, contact Hollie Zajicek. HollieZ@Norwalk.Iowa.Gov | 515.314.5862
"We are excited for this major economic development project that will have a significant impact on our region in terms of investment and job creation,” said Jay Byers, President & CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “It speaks to the strength of Michael Foods and the momentum of the manufacturing sector in our region that the company will double their operation just five years after first building this facility in Norwalk.”
Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Press Statement (Michael Foods to increase capacity in Norwalk)
“A subsidiary of Michael Foods, Inc., M.G. Waldbaum Company is the nation’s largest processor of value-added eggs. The company plans to add 132,000 square feet and acquire machinery and equipment to increase capacity at their Norwalk facility. The project is expected to create 186 jobs, of which 25 are incented at a qualifying wage of $30.38 per hour. It represents a capital investment of $146 million and the board awarded tax benefits through the HQJ program.”
About Michael Foods, Inc.
Michael Foods, a subsidiary of Post Holdings, is headquartered in Hopkins, Minnesota. As a leader in food service and food ingredients, Michael Foods both produces and distributes an extensive portfolio of innovative egg and potato products. Our brands, Papetti's®, Abbotsford Farms®, Simply Potatoes® and Easy Eggs® are valued and recognized across the country. Through a series of business-building platforms and a comprehensive manufacturing and distribution network, Michael Foods also offers inspirational culinary and marketing solutions while delivering supply chain efficiencies and back-of-restaurant convenience and food safety. With manufacturing locations stretching from the northeast to the southwest, our company and employees are committed to supporting our communities and sustaining the farmland essential to our business. For more information, visit www.michaelfoods.com.
About Post Holdings, Inc.
Post Holdings, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a consumer-packaged goods holding company with businesses operating in the center-of-the-store, refrigerated, food service and food ingredient categories. Its businesses include Post Consumer Brands, Weetabix, Michael Foods, and Bob Evans Farms. Post Consumer Brands is a leader in the North American ready-to-eat cereal category and also markets Peter Pan® nut butters. Weetabix is home to the United Kingdom’s number one selling ready-to-eat cereal brand, Weetabix®. Michael Foods and Bob Evans Farms are leaders in refrigerated foods, delivering innovative, value-added egg and refrigerated potato side dish products to the foodservice and retail channels. Post participates in the private brand food category through its investment with third parties in 8th Avenue Food & Provisions, Inc.. For more information, visit www.postholdings.com. Contact: Media Relations, Lisa Hanly | lisa.hanly@postholdings.com
(314) 665.3180.
Images showing the current Michael Foods facility in Norwalk with expansion.
Map Location of Michael Foods, southwest side of Norwalk, west of HWY 28