The acquisition covers the 96,000-square-foot Kay protein processing facility in Clara City, MN, which is certified as gluten free. The deal also covers the consumer brand Kay’s Naturals, a line of gluten-free high protein cereals.
The Kay’s Processing acquisition will increase MSG’s ability to delivery extruded protein products. According to MSG, the demand for these ingredients is rising along with the general trend toward plant based nutrition. The extruded proteins are used in a wide range of products from snacks to meat alternatives.
The Kay Processing employees will stay on as part of the deal. MSG said additional jobs will be created at the plant.
“There is a lot of potential to ramp up production and increase capacity at our new Clara City facility, including more co-manufacturing,” said MSG Vice President of Extrusion Technology and Strategy Jim Fischer.
MSG now has 11 manufacturing facilities. Since the start of 2020 the company has boosted lactose production at its plant in Visalia, CA as well as beginning lactoferrin product at its plant in Fond du Lac, WI.
“MSG has one of the best protein supply chains in the world and great infrastructure for producing high-quality products,” said MSG CEO David Lenzmeier.
