Pharmavite to set up new gummy plant in Ohio

19-Jul-2022 - Last updated on 19-Jul-2022 at 17:25 GMT

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The multi-million dollar move is expected to add over 200 new jobs in the Columbus area.

Pharmavite, the company behind Nature Made vitamins, recently announced plans to expand in Columbus, OH. The company is investing in the construction of a new facility, machinery and equipment, with production expected to start by the end of 2024. The investment amounts to more than $200 million and will create about 225 new jobs.

The new building is a 200,000 – 250,000-square-foot facility in New Albany, joining the area’s growing life science industry, which spans R&D, technology and manufacturing operations.

Tech hub

Dubbed ‘Test City, USA,” Columbus is marketing itself as an emerging innovation hub.

JobsOhio, the state's private nonprofit economic development corporation, reported that 2021 was a landmark year with over 29,104 new jobs created and more than $6.9 billion in capital investment in Ohio, according to its 2021 Annual Report and 2022 Strategic Plan.

“Pharmavite is excited to announce a major expansion into the Columbus Region, which is rapidly emerging as a leading national hub for science, innovation and technology companies,” said Jeff Boutelle, CEO of Pharmavite. “As a proud Ohioan, I look forward to leading Pharmavite into this new era in which we will develop new reach and capabilities while striving to become an important part of the Columbus and New Albany communities.”

"As we continue to expand and strengthen our health and life science cluster, we’re excited to welcome a leading company like Pharmavite to join the ecosystem,” said Michael Loges, economic development manager at the City of New Albany. “Pharmavite’s focus on wellness and nutrition align with New Albany’s strengths and values, so we’re excited to integrate them as partners in our business community and look forward to presenting this project to New Albany City Council.”

At capacity

Kara Roeder, Divisional VP of Operations, Pharmavite, told NutraIngredients-USA that the new production facility will manufacture, package and distribute gummy products. Additionally, there will be a new research and development center at the new facility to complement the R&D work at the company’s California locations.

Pharmavite’s current gummy production facility in Alabama is at capacity and so expanding into the Columbus Region will help the company add production capacity and enhance its Midwest and East Coast market service.

“The gummy format in the vitamin, mineral and supplement (VMS) category has grown significantly. Continued growth is expected, with the gummies projected to make up 30% of the VMS category by the end of 2022. We’re continuing operations in Alabama and adding the Ohio location,” said Roeder. “Half of our business is in the Eastern United States, so it was important to select a location to support those customers."

This marks the company’s fourth manufacturing facility and the second investment outside the California-based company's home state. Founded in 1971, Pharmavite’s last expansion took place in 2013 with a facility in Alabama. The new facility will primarily produce products for its Nature Made and MegaFood brands.

Coming soon

Nature Made and MegaFood are the two Pharmavite brands that currently have gummy offerings. But as the company’s brands and their product offerings evolve, Roeder said there could be gummies made at the new manufacturing location for other brands as well.