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As appeared in the May 13, 2023 edition of The Altoona Mirror:
TIPTON — A new food processing plant for DelGrosso Foods Inc. is up and running.
The plant, at the previous home of the Cenveo commercial envelope factory at 198 Kristel Lane, Altoona, will double the company’s previous capacity and allow for the production of new food products.
Since purchasing the 166,000-square-foot building four years ago, the site has been gutted, refitted and had state-of-the-art sauce-making equipment installed.
The new plant can produce products outside the company’s traditional tomato-based offerings. Six large “retort” machines, which act as pressure vessels to ensure product stability and safety, will allow DelGrosso Foods to pack Alfredo sauces, cheese dips and other items for a number of different brands and retailers.
While the company built its name on the original DelGrosso pasta sauce starting in 1947, the largest component of the company’s recent growth has come from contract packing. DelGrosso produces over 300 stock and custom formulas for dozens of private label customers, which include major grocery chains and several national pasta sauce and salsa brands.
“We’ve had numerous requests from many of our contract packing customers over the past decade to produce Alfredo sauces and other items that were, until now, beyond our capabilities. With a big financial commitment by our family and a massive effort by our startup team, we are now able to expand our product and customer base to new levels,” said CEO Joe DelGrosso.
The new $60 million-plus facility will employ an additional 50 people and will operate in parallel with the “red sauce” plant, just five miles away in Tipton.
As for new products under the DelGrosso brand, shoppers can expect a selection of Alfredo sauces added later this year.
“With any undertaking as massive as this, there are always unexpected challenges, delays and hurdles, and our team has faced it all with determination and a great deal of pride,” said Matt DelGrosso, chief operating officer, who led the new plant efforts.
DelGrosso’s expansion is among the largest single business expansions ever in Blair County, said Stephen McKnight, president and CEO of the Altoona Blair County Development Corp.
“Locally born and rooted family businesses are the backbone of our economy. We are grateful for DelGrosso’s continued investment and job creation impact and appreciate the support of our state and local officials in critical projects like this,” McKnight said.
