No Meat Factory, a co-manufacturer of alternative proteins in Canada, is set to open its first factory in the US.
The Vancouver-based startup, founded in 2019 by CEO Dieter Thiem and COO Leon Bell, is investing $20 million to convert a facility in Stanwood, Washington. The plant was previously owned by Twin City Foods, a frozen vegetable supplier that closed the site in 2017.
No Meat Factory secured $42 million in a Series B funding round from investors in January, bringing funding to date to $60 million. At the time, a spokesman said just food that its second manufacturing facility would allow the startup to begin serving private label clients.
The company serves animal-free nuggets, burgers and “whole muscle alternatives” to food brands in Canada and the US, through retail and foodservice.
Bell said in a statement: “At Stanwood, the No Meat Factory will gain additional manufacturing capacity for convenience products and will provide additional manufacturing capabilities for plant-based deli meat and sausage alternatives, allowing us to better serve the market.” through our existing brand owner partners and increase our offering to foodservice and private label customers.”
Stanwood is expected to be operational by the end of 2023 and will employ about 150 people when at full capacity, with seafood alternatives also on the menu.
The No Meat Factory investment to revive the Twin City Foods plant is supported by a $200,000 state grant to Economic Alliance Snohomish County, which will support engineering and site development costs, as well as initial facility upgrades.
