Lesaffre Yeast Corporation broke ground on a new state-of-the-art blending facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The facility will include a large production and blending area, offices and warehouse.

Construction at the five-acre facility has begun and is scheduled to reach completion at the start of 2018. The plant will produce enzyme blends, concentrates and dough improvers under the Saf-Pro Ingredients brand. These products will be supported by Lesaffre's existing world-class Baking Center located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Lesaffre's experienced team of scientists and baking technicians who test and perfect each product.

"We are proud of the latest investment to increase our capabilities to meet the needs of our baking customers," said Saf-Pro president Tom Benner. "Our Saf-Pro line of ingredients made in this facility will serve commercial, artisan and foodservice customers with the superior-quality, clean-label ingredients they have grown to expect from Lesaffre and Red Star."

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Lesaffre Yeast Company, part of the global Lesaffre group, provides superior-quality yeast and ingredients to the baking industry. Its product brands include industry-leading Red Star-brand fresh yeast, Saf-Instant-brand dry yeast, and Saf-Pro-brand baking ingredients. Red Star Yeast Company, LLC operates two yeast manufacturing plants in the United States, in Dothan, Alabama, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.