New production in Pennsylvania
The new Bethlehem facility clearly increases Kerry’s North American coffee production. It can roast 22 million pounds of coffee annually. This facility operates because Kerry acquired certain assets from botanical ingredients maker Martin Bauer Group in an April 2025 deal for €14.8 million, or approximately $16.6 million, after the previous operator ceased operations at the site. The company currently employs more than 50 people at the location and retains many workers from the former operator.
| Facility Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total area | 48,600 square feet |
| Annual roasting capacity | 22 million pounds |
| Asset acquisition cost | €14.8 million ($16.6 million) |
| Workforce | Over 50 employees |
The plant uses repurposed equipment alongside new roasting and packaging technology. The company, which was founded in Ireland in 1972 and is led by Group CEO Edmond Scanlon, employs 20,000 people across 50 countries. This expansion follows several of Kerry’s previous coffee-related acquisitions, such as the 2003 purchase of flavor syrup maker DaVinci Gourmet and the 2008 acquisition of Portland, Maine-based X Cafe. Kerry’s portfolio includes taste and nutrition, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and health applications.
Target markets and ingredients
The plant produces custom coffee ingredients for B2B customers via hot and cold extraction, concentration, blending, and packaging systems. These ingredients serve applications such as ready-to-drink beverages, cold brew, frozen desserts, and savory sauces. William Kelly, Kerry North America Vice President of Beverage Taste, said these combinations may lead to products like protein-enhanced coffee, energy drinks, hydration drinks, and reduced-sugar drinks. The facility focuses on hot and cold coffee, foodservice, and functional beverage applications. Kerry utilizes a team of coffee experts, flavorists, sensory scientists, beverage developers, process engineers, and nutrition specialists.
"Beyond capacity, our ambition is to redefine what an ingredient partner can contribute to coffee," Kelly said. He said the company can bring together the craft and sensory understanding of coffee with Kerry’s global capabilities in taste, applications, nutrition, and function. This facility provides B2B customers with a platform for coffee and functional beverage ingredients. Kelly noted that coffee remains a dynamic category for food and beverage innovation. Kerry maintains a global network of 119 manufacturing locations and more than 60 technology and innovation centers across the globe.
Topics
