Good Humor-Breyers Expands Missouri Ice Cream Plant

Good Humor-Breyers has opened a $35 million plant in Sikeston, MO. Built in 11 months, the plant is expected to bring the company's frozen novelty production to over 200 million dozen by the year 2001.

The facility will feature layout for expansion and automation; centrally located, automated cleaning systems; automated mix manufacturing; and separation of water-based production systems to accommodate extended production runs.

The plant is designed to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It currently operates three production lines with room for major expansion.

Located on 40 acres in the city's new business park, the plant will produce a variety of Popsicle products and Klondike cones and sandwiches.

Good Humor-Breyers original plant in Sikeston began operations in 1980. The decision to expand locally came about when the city approached the company to locate the proposed expansion in its new Business Park. Cooperation between local and state officials resulted in an economic development package that included storm water management, the construction of an interstate highway interchange, and a new wastewater treatment facility.

The Sikeston expansion will increase the number of employees from 350 to just over 500. Despite the geographic separation of almost four miles, both of the Sikeston plants will operate as one location with two facilities under a single management team.

Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream, whose parent company is Unilever United States, Inc., is the nation's largest producer of ice cream and frozen novelties. Its brands include Breyers, Good Humor, Klondike and Popsicle.