#United States #Pineville #Carolina Foods #Pineville Facility #FOOD ENGINEERING

Carolina Foods' Pineville Facility Secures 2025 Plant of the Year Title

Carolina Foods has made headlines with its Pineville facility in North Carolina, recently recognized as FOOD ENGINEERING Magazine's 2025 Plant of the Year. This accolade celebrates an impressive culmination of design excellence and operational enhancements forged in partnership with Stellar, a leading provider in architectural and engineering services.

The Pineville facility, expanded to encompass 425,000 square feet, marks a significant boost from the original 100,000-square-foot operation. This state-of-the-art facility is geared towards the production of beloved baked goods, including the popular Duchess Honey Buns, donuts, pastries, and pies. This strategic expansion is part of a broader growth initiative supported by Charlotte-based private equity firm, Falfurrias Capital Partners, showcasing Carolina Foods' unwavering commitment to innovation and development.

The rigorous selection process for the Plant of the Year award involved extensive evaluations by FOOD ENGINEERING's expert judges. Their determination highlighted the facility's linear design, sophisticated automation systems, and state-of-the-art production equipment. Notably, one of the standout features of this plant is the innovative separation of fryer rooms from other production areas, a strategic decision aimed at increasing both product safety and overall efficiency.

In expressing his thoughts on this recognition, Dan Myers, CEO of Carolina Foods stated, "This pivotal milestone symbolizes a new era and the culmination of decades of dedication and commitment to the customers we serve. The delicious smell of our honey buns now fills the air in Pineville, a testament to the innovation and quality that has kept us thriving for 90 years. We are thrilled to celebrate this achievement alongside our dedicated employees, community members, and partners."

The design partner, Stellar, played a key role in this project by integrating advanced technology to optimize production processes while upholding stringent safety and quality standards. Jason Duff, Senior Vice President of Design and Engineering at Stellar, remarked, "This facility represents the perfect marriage of innovation and functionality. Through collaboration and forward-thinking design, we have enabled Carolina Foods to meet growing demand while maintaining the exceptional quality their customers expect."

In the upcoming April issue, FOOD ENGINEERING Magazine will feature Carolina Foods' Pineville facility as its cover story, underlining the significance of this achievement within the industry. Furthermore, the official ceremony to present the award will occur at the Food Automation & Manufacturing Symposium and Expo, scheduled for April 14-16, 2025, at the Hilton Downtown Tampa in Florida.

The recognition of the Pineville facility not only highlights the success of Carolina Foods but also reinforces the company's ongoing mission of delivering innovation in food production. This award serves as an inspiration for future endeavors in the industry and a testament to the remarkable collaboration between Carolina Foods, Stellar, and all contributing partners.

About Stellar

Stellar is a fully integrated firm dedicated to design, engineering, construction, refrigeration, and mechanical services. With over 750 employees nationwide, they specialize in creating award-winning food processing plants, distribution centers, and commercial buildings. For additional information, visit www.stellar.net.