With close proximity to the rich potato farms of America’s heartland, Beloit was a natural choice for Kettle Brand’s second U.S. potato chip factory.
The 140,000 square-foot Kettle Brand plant opened in 2007 with 200 employees. The plant consisted of 4 fryers and 3 baggers. Over the next 3 years, the plant added 2 additional baggers and 4 additional fryers.
In 2010, Diamond Foods purchased the plant and promptly expanded the plant in 2011 doubling capacity.
Snyder’s Lance purchased the plant in 2016 adding 2 additional fryers and the ability to run Cape Cod chips.
In an effort to bolster their snacks portfolio, Campbell’s purchased the plant in 2018.
“I came to Beloit through my association with Campbell’s.” says Beloit Plant Manager, Rob Ramer. “When I first came to Beloit, very few people knew Campbell’s owned the plant. We’ve partnered with different organizations in the Beloit area to help drive awareness and name recognition. Through some great organizations like the YMCA sponsored Corporate Cup to Meals on Wheels and to the Beloit Sky Carp, the Beloit area is filled with great people who help great businesses like Campbell’s thrive.”
The plant now employs approximately 300 employees and produces approximately 200,000 lbs of finished product daily. To accomplish this, the plant needs over 600+k raw potatoes every day. The 11 baggers can run packaging sizes from 1 oz all the way to 2 lb bags. The plant ships product all over the United States and into Mexico and Canada.