Pure Foods Opens Global Headquarters

Pure Foods, a specialty snack company, opened its global headquarters and primary manufacturing location at Gateway Commerce Park in Kingsport, Tenn.

The 88,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility produces nutrient-dense and reduced-fat snack foods for distribution in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

"This is a one-of-a-kind facility, built to handle novel ingredients and deliver smart, delicious snacks," says John Frostad, president and CEO of Pure Foods. "We look forward to the opportunities this location affords us for providing healthier snack choices to North American consumers.”

Pure Foods uses high-quality, carefully sourced, non-GMO ingredients. The company’s new Kingsport location offers industry-unique techniques and technologies that allow for the integration of fresh fruits and vegetables into snack forms, preserving up to 95 percent of nutrient value while reducing food waste, cost and overall impact on the environment.

Pure Foods will also acquire, under license, the Guiltless Gourmet brand of baked tortilla chips from the Manischewitz Company of Newark, N.J. The deal complements Pure Foods’ family of gluten-free, non-GMO verified snacks.

The Kingsport facility represents a $22 million investment in the community, including $15.5 million in equipment and $6.5 million in the building and land — 35 acres in all, providing room to grow.

Several regional and state organizations collaborated to help secure the location, including the state of Tennessee, city of Kingsport, Kingsport Economic Development Board (KEDB), NETWORKS — Sullivan Partnership and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce.

“We researched multiple locations before choosing Tennessee,” Frostad says. “We wanted to make our home in a community with vision, a skilled workforce, and leaders who can pool their strengths. Kingsport offered us that and more.”

Initial hiring projections include 50-75 employees in the first year working in management, production, and research and development. Over a five-year span that number may expand to approximately 275 employees.

“There’s a sizeable and rapidly evolving market for healthier, nutrient-dense snacks,” Frostad says. “It’s exciting to know that in Kingsport, we have a versatile facility that meets this growing demand and equips us to look ahead to future trends. We’re delighted that our operations are now at home in such a welcoming region, and we look forward to continued growth and success.”