Last updated on August 28th, 2012 at 10:46 am
Seattle-based Evolution Fresh plans to open a juicery that will support 160 U.S. manufacturing jobs in 
, Calif., later next year. Furthering its commitment to expand the availability of super-premium, cold-crafted juice, the company also reports that new flavorful Evolution Fresh products are arriving in select stores on the West Coast.
High-tech juicery to quadruple production, distribution capacity
One month following Starbucks’ commitment to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs with the construction of a new soluble coffee plant in Augusta, Ga., the company’s SoCal juicery—expected to be operational in late 2013—will produce Evolution Fresh juices currently made at its existing juicery in San Bernardino, Calif. All 120 San Bernardino employees have been offered positions at the new facility, with 40 additional partner positions expected to be created once the Rancho Cucamonga juicery is fully operational.
“Our new juicery marks an important milestone as we continue to revolutionize the $3.4 billion and growing cold-crafted juice category,” said Jeff Hansberry, president of channel development. “It will more than quadruple our production and distribution capacity while continuing to deliver the flavor, vitamins, and nutrients of raw fruits and vegetables retained by Evolution Fresh’s innovative use of high pressure processing (HPP).”
The $70 million, 260,00-s.f. juicery will be capable of peeling, squeezing, cracking and pressing approximately four to five times the amount of juice per year as the current facility using the company’s never-heated HPP technology. It will be Starbucks’ sixth manufacturing site in the U.S., adding to the company’s existing network of four roasting plants in Kent, Wash., York, Pa., Sandy Run, S.C., and Carson Valley, Nev., and a soluble coffee plant that is currently under construction in Augusta, Ga.
“During such challenging economic times, it’s important for Starbucks to continue to strengthen the U.S. manufacturing sector by investing in new facilities and creating jobs,” said Peter Gibbons, EVP of global supply chain operations. “We have long believed that there is a direct link between our success and the vitality of the communities in which we do business. This latest investment, along with the soluble coffee plant we recently broke ground on in Augusta, are good examples of how building high-tech manufacturing facilities in America makes good business sense by aligning our supply chain close to consumer demand while supporting the communities where our customers and partners live and work.”
New Evolution Fresh bottled juices in distribution
Evolution Fresh has added three juices to its current line-up in select natural food and premium grocery stores across the West Coast. In addition, a new flavor, Raspberry Watermelon, will be available for the first time in these stores as well as Evolution Fresh stores.
• Cucumber Pineapple Ginger—a balance of sweet and spicy, refreshing cucumber and pineapple juices with a hint of ginger;
• Pineapple Coconut Water—naturally hydrating, light and refreshing with a touch of pineapple;
• Spicy Lemonade—delicious lemonade with a hint of ginger and cayenne for a refreshing kick; and
• New Raspberry Watermelon—the taste of fresh watermelon complemented with raspberries.
Each of these products, which are never heated, demonstrate how Evolution Fresh is continuing to innovate the cold-crafted juice category by bringing customers the vibrancy and convenience of real, pure ingredients while they are on the go, the company says in a news release. Over time, Evolution Fresh plans to continue to build on its product line-up with additional seasonal and core juices.
“Evolution Fresh juice is now available to more consumers than ever before, and we are pleased to be introducing new juices to our product line in response to consumer interest in what the brand delivers,” said Hansberry. “Customers are looking for convenient, high-quality and nutritious beverages and foods, and we see an opportunity to harness the intense consumer interest in Evolution Fresh products coming to market, both in Starbucks retail stores and in select natural food and premium grocery aisles.”
