Louisville, Ky's Blendex Company, a custom blender of food products, has completed its expansion and upgrade of its production facility.  An additional 10,000 square feet has been added to better meet the growing needs of its customers.  New equipment was also added for air and temperature quality.

"We have great expectations for the remainder of 2004," said Ron Pottinger, CEO.  "As the economy turns around, more people eat out, creating more of a demand for food products.  The demand for non-allergenic and nutraceutical products has been a big stimulus, as well.  Healthy is the new 'in' thing and we can help accommodate our customers now that we have a climate-controlled, dust-controlled blending facility."

Business growth has also increased the need for production support, and the company will add 10 to 15 people in the next 30 to 45 days.

The Blendex Company was founded in 1975 and was incorporated on January 31, 1979.  In 1981, Eugene A. Pottinger, then executive vice president of the founding company, purchased the Blendex Company and moved the operation to Plantside Drive in Louisville, Ky.  In 1984, Blendex built a new building in which they still reside, located at 11208 Electron Drive in Louisville.  In October 1986, the building was expanded to 44,000 square feet.  Bulk silos were added in 1989 and a bulk oil tank was added in 1992, with two additional silos being installed in the fall of 1992.

In March 1992, an adjacent building consisting of 10,000 square feet and several acres were purchased and in January 1995, the building was expanded to 76,000 square feet, and another bulk oil tank was added.

In July 1998, another adjacent building consisting of 20,000 square feet and several acres were purchased and in September 1998, four acres plus an adjacent parcel was purchased for futher expansion needs.

Dust control systems were installed for blending rooms in January of 2003 and in December 2003, an additional 10,000 square feet warehouse was constructed for raw material storage.  In March 2004, climate control systems were installed for blending rooms.

The Blendex Company, a dry ingredients blending company, has a product line of over two hundred dry food products consisting of spice mixes, breading mixes, drink mixes, seasonings, marinades, batters, mixes for biscuits, pancakes and waffles, BBQ rubs, sauces, and private labels.

The Blendex Company distributes its products through regional distribution warehouses for sale to restaurants and fast food outlets.  Blendex International, a subsidiary of the Blendex Company, was incorporated in 1983 for sales to national accounts and food processors.

The Kentucky Manufacturer & Contractor

July 2004