Wild expands, aims to create flavor campus
current location, a move that reflects the flavor manufacturer's
fast pace of growth.
The new building in Erlanger, Kentucky, will initially house additional offices, but will soon also be used for additional research and development labs, said the company. Wild Flavors, privately owned by Dr Hans-Peter Wild and allied to the Germany-based Rudolf Wild, claims to be among the top five flavor companies in the US, with major competitors being IFF and Givaudan. The firm said it is "the fastest growing company of its kind" in North America, growth it puts down to its innovation, consistency and quality. According to Donna Hansee, senior director of marketing, Wild Flavors has seen at least five years of double-digit growth, "where the average industry rate is three to four percent". She told FoodNavigator-USA.com that the firm expects to maintain this growth rate going into the future. This increase in sales has been reflected in the company's growth in resources. This year it has hired 60-70 new employees, and expects to hire a similar number next year. The move into the new building opposite its current location is designed to accommodate this expansion. The firm said it plans to create a "campus" as it expands - it has also acquired 40 acres of land surrounding its two buildings, where it ultimately expects to construct new production facilities and more R&D labs. However, for the time being, Hansee said it is too early to forecast when and how this additional expansion will occur. Wild Flavors currently produces flavors, natural colors and functional ingredients, such as natural extracts and vitamin emulsions. It supplies North America and Mexico from its existing facility in Erlanger, Kentucky, which it acquired in 1997. According to Dr Hans-Peter Wild, "our ongoing success with innovative technologies within the industry have allowed for enormous growth of the company. Due to the identification of new business opportunities and our organic growth at double-digit rates, the current facilities will no longer meet all of our requirements". Together with its allied companies, Wild supplies the food and beverage industry in over 50 countries.
