010723 Bob Evans to Build New Distr. Center

Columbus, OH - Bob Evans Farms Inc. has announced its plans to build a 55,000-square-foot distribution center in Springfield, Ohio. The facility will be the first of its kind for the company, as it expands to meet the growing demand for its sausage and other retail food products. Bob Evans Farms expects to break ground on the new construction in the fall of 2001 with a completion date in the fall of 2002. The facility represents a $6 million investment for the company.

“A distribution center for the retail products that Bob Evans offers to grocery stores was identified as the number one priority to ensure Bob Evans' ability to meet the ever-increasing demands for our food products over the next five to 10 years,” said Bob Evans Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Stewart Owens. “We expect more than a 16% increase in total pounds sold of our food products within the next five years alone -- a figure that's equivalent to 15 million more pounds. We need to not only meet this demand, but put our company in a position to continue its expansion into new markets. Lifestyle changes and consumers' increasing desire for homestyle cooking and convenient preparation has lead to growth for our retail Bob Evans brand foods and food service products.”

Currently, the company's food products distribution is handled in its production plants in Bidwell, Springfield and Xenia, Ohio, Hillsdale, Mich., Galva, Ill. and Richardson, Texas. “Our current facilities manage both production and distribution of our fresh and frozen products throughout the Midwest, New England, East, Southeast and the state of Texas. It is becoming increasingly difficult to handle distribution due to increased demand from our retail stores and food service products along with our expanding restaurant division,” said Owens. “Because our current production and distribution facilities are landlocked, it was obvious we had to begin the search for a new site.”

All current facilities manage both production and distribution of the company's products, which include sausage links, patties and rolls, frozen entrees, side dishes, bread dough products, food service products and SnackWiches. “Having a facility solely dedicated to distribution is a first for the company, but is a necessary step to meet our impending needs,” Owens said.

Springfield was selected based on its central location to Bob Evans food products sales territory and to existing production facilities.

The 25-acre site in Springfield is located on Route 68, near I-70, four miles south of Springfield in the Airpark Industrial Park. Owens said site selection began in November of 2000, and the company expects to purchase the land before Sept. 1. Meacham and Apel Architects was the firm selected as the architect for the project. Lincoln Construction Inc. is the general contractor, with Sutton and Associates as the refrigeration contractor.

“Our employees are very enthusiastic about our expansion in Springfield,” Owens said. “In addition to the opportunities the new facility presents for the city of Springfield, it means continued growth and success for their company.” The Springfield Bob Evans plant is located six miles north of the new distribution center location. The nearly 40 employees of the plant produce gravies and sausage for use in the food service division of Bob Evans. The company's Xenia, Ohio, facility, 15 miles away, employs 110.

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