RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 4,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Corporation
(NYSE:UVV), a global business-to-business agriproducts company,
announced today the opening of its enhanced Universal Ingredients
Shank's manufacturing campus in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The enhancement is
the result of the Company's $30
million expansion project that adds new state-of-the-art
beverage-focused extraction and aseptic processing technology to
the existing campus. The project significantly increases the
campus' physical production capacity and service capabilities.
"We are excited to announce the opening of our enhanced
Universal Ingredients Shank's campus. This will enable us to expand
our product offerings to our customers, service additional markets,
and provide us with beneficial operational efficiencies,"
stated George C. Freeman, III, Chairman, President, and Chief
Executive Officer of Universal Corporation. "Our campus expansion
will allow us to enhance our tea, coffee, and botanical extracts as
well as our customized blending capabilities through innovative
solutions such as aseptic packaging. We would like to thank the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's
Department of Community and Economic Development and Lancaster County for their support which
helped make this project possible."
"This opening is an important milestone for Universal
Ingredients," stated J. Patrick
O'Keefe, Vice President, Ingredients of Universal
Corporation. "We believe Universal Ingredients Shank's campus'
industry-leading combination of extraction, blending, and aseptic
packaging makes us unique among our competitors in the United States and allows us to better
serve our current and future customers. Combining formulating,
blending, packaging, and warehouse operations at one location will
enable us to meet customer demands with precision and operate with
greater production and supply chain efficiency."
Competitive Benefits from New Aseptic Packaging
Capabilities
Aseptic processing and packaging provides Universal Ingredients
significant competitive advantages because products can be safely
stored and transported without the need for refrigeration. The
aseptic packaging process utilizes ultra-high temperature
sterilization and is designed to eliminate spoilage while products
are packaged, shipped, and kept in storage. The technology helps
retain flavors and nutrients while extending shelf life and
eliminating the customers' need for refrigeration of Universal
Ingredients Shank's finished products.
Blending and Extraction Capabilities and Custom Research and
Development Team Benefits
Universal Ingredients Shank's can expand its product offerings
and allow for greater product customization with its new automated,
state-of-the-art ingredient blending and extraction systems.
Universal Ingredients Shank's will be able to produce more of its
current portfolio of products and offer new products. In
addition, the new technology provides Universal Ingredients'
Research and Development team, located primarily at the
Lancaster campus, a more efficient
and responsive product development and manufacturing process. This
will enable them to support customers with greater product
flexibility. The Research and Development team offers customized
solutions that assist customers in creating new products and
helping them evolve existing products to meet the changing tastes,
dietary needs, and lifestyle choices of consumers.
For more information about Universal Ingredients,
contact info@universalingredients.com.
Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) is a global agricultural
company with over 100 years of experience supplying premium
ingredients and innovative solutions to meet our customers'
evolving needs and precise specifications. Through our diverse
network of farmers and partners across 30 countries on five
continents and our commitment to a sustainable supply chain, we are
a trusted provider of high-quality, traceable products. We leverage
our extensive supply chain expertise and state-of-the-art
agriproduct capabilities to provide a range of products and
services designed to drive efficiency and deliver value to our
customers. For more information, visit www.universalcorp.com.
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SOURCE Universal Corporation