Food Manufacturers Expanded U.S. Facilities

Major producers have invested in new automation and production capacity to meet growing consumer demand.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Manufacturing

A close-up of intricate stainless steel piping and industrial cooling valves within a sterile, high-tech food manufacturing facility. — Major U.S. food manufacturers are investing in automation and infrastructure, including advanced cooling and robotics, to expand production capacity nationwide. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Food manufacturers across the United States have completed significant facility expansions and infrastructure upgrades. These projects aim to boost production capacity and improve resource efficiency in response to rising demand for protein and nutrition products.

Why it matters

Companies are investing heavily in automation and infrastructure to modernize plant operations and improve long-term sustainability. These expansions are critical for maintaining supply as household penetration for specific food categories continues to grow.

Nasoya completed a $55 million, 65,000-square-foot plant expansion featuring a 9,000-unit-per-hour production line. Meanwhile, InnovAsian broke ground on a 180,000-square-foot facility project costing $150 million.

The players

Michigan Milk Producers Association

This is a large dairy cooperative currently ranked 9th in size among its peers.

Nasoya

This food manufacturer specializes in tofu production and plant-based protein options.

InnovAsian

This company produces various Asian-inspired food products for the retail market.

Leprino Foods

This major dairy processor sold a facility in Remus, Michigan to the Michigan Milk Producers Association.

Pulmuone

This is the parent organization focused on increasing tofu household penetration to double digits.

The details

The Michigan Milk Producers Association expanded its Ovid, Michigan site by installing a 700-ton glycol cooling system that recovers 600 gallons of water per minute. Additionally, Nasoya integrated robotics and automation into its packaging process to achieve a total daily capacity of 400,000 pounds of tofu.

1916 marks the establishment year of the Michigan Milk Producers Association.
2022 serves as the baseline year for current tofu sales growth comparisons.
Earlier in 2026, the Michigan Milk Producers Association finished its Ovid facility expansion.
In August 2026, InnovAsian broke ground on its new Arkansas manufacturing plant.

Market Landscape

These infrastructure investments signal a broader shift as manufacturers scramble to scale operations in response to the rise in consumer demand for protein and nutrition products. This strategy positions these firms to compete for market share as they transition toward highly automated supply chains.

Increased production capacity often helps stabilize retail pricing by ensuring a consistent supply of popular food products in grocery stores. Consumers may notice a greater availability of protein-focused items as these companies scale their operations.

The takeaway

Food producers are prioritizing large-scale automation and resource recovery systems to optimize their long-term manufacturing costs. These investments highlight how legacy agricultural firms are adapting to modern efficiency standards to stay competitive.