Campbell Invests $30M in Brand Innovation

Campbell Soup Company announces that it will invest more than $30 million to build a new 34,000-square-foot innovation center at its Pepperidge Farm facilities at 595 Westport Avenue in Norwalk, Conn. The project will also include extensive upgrading of Pepperidge Farm's existing headquarters at the site.

 

"This investment is the latest step in our effort to drive increased innovation and create new products to delight consumers," says Denise Morrison, chief operating officer and CEO Elect. "Pepperidge Farm has delivered outstanding innovations that have contributed to the growth of Campbell for more than 50 years, and we expect the new innovation center to fuel further collaboration and growth across our global baking and snacking portfolio."

 

The investment reflects Campbell's efforts to further increase the rate of innovation across its Baking and Snacking portfolio, the company's second-largest reporting segment, which includes both its Pepperidge Farm unit and Arnott's in Asia Pacific.

 

The innovation center will feature a state-of-the-art pilot plant with product development and testing lines, culinary kitchens, scientific labs and meeting rooms. The company expects to break ground on the project, pending permits and other governmental approvals, in August 2011 and plans to complete construction in fall 2012.