Synergy to build new flavor innovation center

The site, which will be fully operational by the end of next year, will feature an Innovation Center which will include flavor and applications development labs, a demonstration kitchen, sensory testing labs, and analytical and pilot plant facilities.

Occupying a 15-acre site, the new campus will incorporate an existing building that will be modified and expanded into a 125,000-square-foot facility. The campus will be designed in parallel with LEED Certification Standards governed by the Green Building Institute to align with Synergy's Sustainability Platform.

New automation​

The expanded facility will include new automation to improve liquid processing and packaging efficiencies. The company also plans to add further capabilities in dry production such as expanding its spray drying facility.

The company’s CEO, Roderick Sowders said in a statement: “This facility represents the next phase in our development and we are proud to remain a part of the Wauconda community. We are also proud to be making huge strides in the area of corporate social responsibility and this facility will be a significant part of that.​

"We have simply outgrown our current facility, and although we have added staffing and expanded shifts to increase production, we are coming to a time where we won't be able to accommodate our growth plans in our existing facility.” ​

Greg Bach, the company’s VP, Business Development, added: "Our growth has come from expanding our reach in key markets such as bakery, confection, dairy, ready-to-drink beverages, dry drinks, nutritional and savory products​."

Vanilla production​

Acquisition had also contributed to growth over the past five years, he said. The company acquired vanilla production company Vanlab in 2006.

In 2007, AFF Aromas do Brasil was brought on to establish a technical and manufacturing base in South America.

Applications for Synergy Flavors ingredients include: Bakery spanning bread, biscuits, cakes, muffins, crackers, cereals, waffles and doughnuts, Beverages, including berry fruit, citrus and tropical fruit flavors among others.

Meanwhile, Synergy's Chicago facility received organic certification last May. The certification will allow the company to increase the provision of organic flavors, and respond to sustained demand for ‘clean label’ products, it said.

Synergy Flavors, Inc. is a subsidiary of Carbery, an international nutritional ingredients and cheese manufacturer.