As the conversion wave from synthetic to natural colors continues to rise in the US market, global bioscience company Chr. Hansen A/S is literally gearing up for the future. The company plans to boost production capacity and add new capabilities to meet the rapidly increasing demand for natural colors in North America.

Chr. Hansen purchased the Banker Wire manufacturing facility in Mukwonago, Wis. Officials say the move adds significantly to its presence in North America and is in convenient proximity to its Milwaukee-base. Taking this step is in response to an ever growing interest from US consumers in products made from natural, recognizable and safe ingredients, putting pressure on food and beverage producers to convert to natural colors.

The acquired facility will be renovated to become the new North American headquarters for the company’s Natural Colors Division, housing everything from production, to research and development, application and quality assurance labs, a pilot plant, a dedicated warehouse, as well as sales and marketing and other business support functions.

“This is the largest single investment for Natural Colors in recent years and demonstrates our commitment to the important North American market,” says Jacob Vishof Paulsen, acting executive vice president of Natural Colors Division. “Having the whole chain gathered in one place will allow for a fast and agile response to customer needs, supporting Chr. Hansen’s current and future business demands for the next decade—with room to grow.” 

High quality products, faster

The expansion will strengthen Chr. Hansen’s position as an industry leader with full supply chain capabilities to deliver natural color solutions to current and future customers. The new state-of-the-art site will create better speed to market, based on more flexibility in production and supply chain and resulting in high quality products, faster.

“We partner with some of the greatest food brands in the world and indeed experience a big demand for natural ingredients,” adds John Veidt, plant manager, Natural Colors Division. “With this expansion, we are increasing production capacity and adding new capabilities, enabling us to meet the rapidly increasing demand for natural colors in North America.” 

Chr. Hansen, who has been present on the North American market since 1878, will take over the building next year and initially employ 70 to 80 people. Meanwhile the company continues to serve many customers from its Milwaukee, Wis., headquarters.

About Chr. Hansen’s Natural Colors Division

Chr. Hansen is the world leader in natural colors. We apply our deep knowledge and insights about pigments, applications, and regulatory requirements around the globe to help our customers – and consumers – bring safe and appetizing food to the table. Sourced from nature, our color portfolio is the largest and most vibrant in the food industry, and our active role in the industry spans 140 years. We are part of Chr. Hansen Holding, which develops natural ingredient solutions for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. Chr. Hansen employs over 3,000 people in 30 countries and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen.

Chr. Hansen is a leading, global bioscience company that develops natural ingredient solutions for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. We develop and produce cultures, enzymes, probiotics and natural colors for a rich variety of foods, confectionery, beverages, dietary supplements and even animal feed and plant protection. Our product innovation is based on more than 30,000 microbial strains – we like to refer to them as ‘good bacteria’. Our solutions enable food manufacturers to produce more with less – while also reducing the use of chemicals and other synthetic additives – which make our products highly relevant in today’s world. We have been delivering value to our partners – and, ultimately, end consumers worldwide – for over 140 years. We are proud that more than one billion people consume products containing our natural ingredients every day. Revenue in the 2016/17 financial year was EUR 1,063 million. Chr. Hansen was founded in 1874 and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen.