HUDSONVILLE ICE CREAM ASSERTS COMMITMENT TO HOLLAND AND WEST MICHIGAN THROUGH PLANNED EXPANSION
9/25/2018 -HOLLAND, Mich. – Hudsonville Ice Cream, a family-owned, West Michigan-based creamery dating back to 1926, has expanded its current facility on 48th Street. The $1,599,552 investment includes a new silo alcove and pilot plant to allow for more innovative flavor creations enabling an expanded distribution network across the United States. The expansion of facilities continues to showcase the creamery’s commitment to its longtime hometown of Holland and allowed for the creation of additional high-skilled food manufacturing jobs with the company.
“Hudsonville Ice Cream is known and loved throughout this region, and this investment is the perfect way to honor our heritage here,” said CJ Ellens of Hudsonville Ice Cream. “We are immensely proud of our West Michigan roots, and it is our hope that it shines through in every batch of ice cream we make. Our facility expansion is a reflection of our plans for the future, and we are committed to growing our operations here in Holland for years to come.”
Hudsonville Ice Cream’s Holland facility is utilized to develop and produce frozen desserts. Construction involved the development of a silo alcove to store raw materials, and a pilot plant to develop and test new ice cream flavors for its line-up of more than 50 flavors, which are sold in scoop shops across Michigan and in grocery stores in more than a dozen states. The pilot plant also allows for the creation of small batch flavors, such as Bowerman’s Blueberry Donut and Sweetie-licious Pie Surprise, that are featured as part of the Hudsonville Ice Cream Michigan Artisan Collection.
Lakeshore Advantage assisted Hudsonville Ice Cream with the process of its expansion, providing essential resources during this period of growth.
“We encourage companies to reach out to us so we can connect them with resources and streamline the process to support their expansions that create good jobs in our community," said Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advantage. “Congratulations to Hudsonville Ice Cream for their growth and establishing new levels of deliciousness to be tested and produced right here in West Michigan.”
Hudsonville Ice Cream’s operations contribute to West Michigan’s economy, recognized by Forbes as one of the fastest-growing economies in the nation. West Michigan is also a leader in food processing, and Hudsonville Ice Cream is among several nationally and globally recognized food brands based in the region.
“West Michigan is in an ideal location from a business perspective, allowing companies like Hudsonville to expand beyond the region and do business across the United States,” Ellens said. “But more importantly, our community is blessed with hard-working, loyal people with strong character, which makes West Michigan the best place for us to be.”
Hudsonville Ice Cream currently employs 84 individuals. The company’s plans to make its long-time home in West Michigan have been supported by the City of Holland.
“Holland is honored to host high caliber businesses such as Hudsonville Creamery,” said City of Holland Mayor Nancy DeBoer. “Their commitment to quality, innovation, and just compensation for their stellar work force builds a strong future here. We celebrate their growing investment in product and people and wish them generations of continued success.”
About Hudsonville Creamery & Ice Cream Company
Hudsonville Creamery & Ice Cream Company is family owned and operated, making Michigan’s most delicious ice cream for over 90 years. Headquartered in Holland, Michigan, Hudsonville Ice Cream has revolutionized the way ice cream is made by building the most progressive ice cream manufacturing facility in the country, ensuring safety first and producing the best tasting, creamiest ice cream with genuine goodness in every spoonful. The creamery’s facility is optimized to create unique flavors in small batches, sourcing the freshest ingredients, including dairy from local farms in Western Michigan. Beloved by Michiganders, Hudsonville Ice Cream has recently expanded beyond the state’s borders, sharing Michigan’s best-kept secret with neighboring states in the Midwest and beyond.
About Lakeshore Advantage
Lakeshore Advantage is a non-profit, local economic development organization started in 2003 by forward-focused business and community leaders to ensure current and future generations have good paying jobs in a vibrant economy. Lakeshore Advantage assists primary employers, from startups to large world-class corporations, in Allegan and Ottawa counties.
In 2017, Lakeshore Advantage supported 49 business expansion projects in the organization’s project pipeline. Of those, 18 announced business growth projects in 2017 resulted in over $90 million in private investment and more than 650 new jobs. More at www.lakeshoreadvantage.com.
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Emily Staley
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Lakeshore Advantage
201 W. Washington Ave. Loft 410 | Zeeland, MI 49464
p 616.772.5226 | c 616.842.5454
e emily.staley@lakeshoreadvantage.com
