Ingredient company acquires chili pepper plant
Sensient Natural Ingredients, a processor and supplier of dehydrated vegetable products and natural food ingredients, has acquired a chili pepper plant, looking to leverage the on-demand item for its food manufacturer clients.
The ingredients company is based in Turlock, Calif., part of Milwaukee-based Sensient Technologies, and it has finalized the acquisition of New Mexico Chile Products, a dehydrated chili production facility in Deming, N.M. The company processes capsicums and a variety of specialty chilies for sale to food manufacturers, spice blenders and foodservice customers.
“This initial acquisition aligns with our long-term business strategy to advance our leadership position in select growth categories as well as fortify our robust supply chain,” said Michael Finete, general manager, Sensient Natural Ingredients. “This is also an opportunity to better service our customers and satisfy the food industry’s increased demand for on-trend, value-added, natural and organic ingredients that are sustainably sourced and traceable from farm to fork.”
Sensient Natural Ingredients is one of North America’s largest processors of dehydrated onion, garlic, capsicum and other specialty vegetable products and supplies food manufacturers globally. The company established operations and relationships with farmers in California more than 100 years ago and is looking to do the same in New Mexico.
“We aspire to build equally strong and enduring relationships with the respected growers in New Mexico as we invest in and support the Deming community in The Land of Enchantment,” said Finete. “The strategically-located facility not only provides incremental capacity for our growing business, but also enables us to broaden our chili portfolio of products to offer bold flavor solutions to our customers.”
A vertically integrated, agriculture-based strategic business unit of Sensient Technologies, the ingredients company markets California-grown, conventional and organic, dehydrated onion, garlic and parsley as well as domestic and imported capsicums (paprika, chili pepper and powder) and varietals such as jalapeño, habanero, ancho, chipotle, guajillo, pasilla and New Mexico’s own Hatch green chile from the state's Hatch Valley.
The products are responsibly sourced using sustainable farming methods, the company said. Sensient Ingredient’s facilities hold certifications of compliance with various third-party standards, such as those from the International Organization for Standardization and certifications issued under the umbrella of the Global Food Safety Initiative, including Food Safety System Certification 22000, British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Safe Quality Food.