Starbucks Coffee Co., Seattle, officially opened its new $70 million state-of-the-art Evolution Fresh juicery in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Capable of sourcing, peeling, squeezing and pressing raw fruits and vegetables, the 264,000-square-foot facility will quadruple the brand’s production of cold-pressed juices and feature advanced technologies, such as high-pressure processing (HPP) machines.

Since Starbucks’ acquisition of Evolution Fresh in 2011, the juice brand has exceeded its growth plans to be in more than 8,000 Starbucks and grocery retailers by the end of calendar-year 2013, the company says. The juicery will enable the company to further grow its market share in the $1.6 billion super-premium juice industry, it adds.

“The opening of this juicery marks a significant milestone in Evolution Fresh’s history and commitment to making high-quality, never-heated, nutritious juice available to consumers across the country,” said Chris Bruzzo, general manager of Evolution Fresh, in a statement. “We believe cold-pressed is the future of juice and we are leading the charge in changing the way people think about juice. Today marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide accessible nutrition and a new way for people to experience fruits and vegetables and natural foods in their everyday diet.”

The facility’s Rancho Cucamongo location is ideal because of its distance from produce sources, he added.

“The produce used in Evolution Fresh juices are sourced locally when attainable, making Rancho Cucamonga the ideal location for providing fresh-tasting, nutrient-rich juice,” Bruzzo said in a statement. “The proximity to where fruits and vegetables are grown reduces transportation time and allows for a high level of nutrient retention.”

The new facility employs 190 people, which includes retaining nearly 100 percent of the company’s original partners from the previous juicery as well as creating 65 new positions. It will be Starbucks’ sixth manufacturing site in the United States, adding to the company’s existing network of five roasting plants in Kent, Wash.; York, Pa.; Sandy Run, S.C.; Carson Valley, Nev.; and Augusta, Ga.  

“We believe it is important and makes good business sense to significantly invest in U.S. manufacturing,” Bruzzo said in a statement. “By building this new facility from the ground up, close to where our produce grows, we are not only able to provide nutritious juice, but also support the local community.”