The Wright Group, Crowley, La., announced its acquisition of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Plain City, Ohio. The new facility will add an additional 55,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehousing space. At the new site, the company will employ 80-plus workers within the next two years, it says. The facility has state-of-the-art liquid and dry blending capacity with additional space on the property to expand if necessary. Also, this facility will house an applications research and development center for the creation of functional foods.

 

Affinity Flavors, Corona, Calif., expanded its production capabilities with the addition of a facility that will manufacture dry blended and spray dried flavors.

 

Autocrat, Lincoln, R.I., was awarded an Excellent rating on its 2000 Level II Certification by the Safe Quality Foods organization.

 

CP Kelco, Atlanta, reported that five of its production facilities have been certified in the Global Food Safety Initiative Food Safety System Certifications 22000. The company’s goal is to have the remaining facilities audited, certified and compliant in the first half of 2012.

 

David Michael & Co., Philadelphia, announced that its ninth annual Innovation Roadshow will take place April 25, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency in Philadelphia.

 

DSM Nutritional Products, Switzerland, announced the formation of the Nutritional Lipids division. Nutritional Lipids will combine Martek’s algal DHA omega-3 and ARA omega-6 products with DSM’s polyunsaturated fatty acid portfolio and focus on developing and positioning innovative nutritional lipids products.

 

Long Beach, Calif.-based BI Nutraceuticals has split its East Coast territory into North and South regions. The company announced that it has hired Jennifer Mackey to grow sales, manage and expand BI Nutraceutical’s customer base in the Southeast region. The company also hired Alison Raban, a food technologist charged with product development and creating custom solutions for the company’s food and beverage clients.

 

Roberto Aragon joined iTi Tropicals Inc., Lawrenceville, N.J., as director of business development.

 

Ottens Flavors, Philadelphia, appointed Jeff Gerdes as vice president of business development and marketing.

 

Virginia Dare, Brooklyn, N.Y., added Adayit (Deedee) Kalo as a flavor chemist focusing on new flavors for beverages among other categories.