PRESS RELEASE: Bigelow Tea Breaks Ground on New 265,000 SF Facility in Louisville, KY
LOUISVILLE, KY. (September 9, 2024) – Bigelow Tea, the 100% woman owned and operated family tea company founded in 1945, is excited to announce the groundbreaking of its new state-of-the-art facility located at Blankenbaker Road in Louisville, Kentucky. The ceremony, which took place at the site at 2706 Blankenbaker Road on September 9, 2024, marked the commencement of construction on this significant project.
The new 265,000-square-foot building will serve as a key facility for Bigelow Tea’s production, packaging, storage, and distribution operations. The site also includes 25,000 square feet of planned office space, and it sits on a sprawling 20-acre plot, allowing for a future expansion of 75,000 square feet as the company continues to grow.
Cindi Bigelow, the company’s CEO and President, is excited to see the building come to fruition. “There are so many people that have worked tirelessly to bring this project to life. I especially want to call out John Bruins, Senior Director of Engineering, for his commitment to talking to almost every employee over the last two years to ensure that this facility was built to include everyone’s needs.”
Hollenbach Oakley has been awarded the Project Management agreement for the construction of this new facility, and Horizon Commercial Realty played a pivotal role in facilitating the purchase of the property, ensuring that Bigelow Tea’s vision for its new facility could be realized.
Greg Oakley, Managing Partner of Hollenbach Oakley and Horizon Commercial Realty, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration. “Working with Bigelow Tea on this project is a tremendous honor. This facility will not only enhance their operational capabilities but also demonstrate their commitment to the Louisville community and sustainable practices,” Oakley said.
Sitework is scheduled to begin this year, with the main construction phase slated to start in early 2025. Civil drawings have already been completed, and the facility will include environmentally friendly features such as solar canopies over employee parking lots, underscoring Bigelow Tea’s commitment to sustainability.
With the start of this project, Bigelow Tea’s plan includes expanding their workforce, further contributing to the local economy. The total investment for this project is estimated at over $70 million.
Bigelow Tea’s current Louisville facility is located at 2401 Constant Comment Place, for over 30 years and is very happy to be able to expand in the same wonderful community. The new facility marks a significant milestone in the company’s continued growth and commitment to excellence.
Pictured from Left to Right
John Hollenbach – Hollenbach Oakley Managing Partner
Matthew Meunier – Jeffersontown Director of Community and Economic Development
Paul Schenfeld – Bigelow Tea CFO
Jeff Noel – Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary
John Reinwald – Bigelow Tea VP Manufacturing
Jacqueline Coleman – Kentucky Lt Governor
Cindi Bigelow – Bigelow Tea President and CEO
Craig Greenberg – Louisville, KY Mayor
Wayne Hendrix – Bigelow Tea Louisville Plant Manager
Carol Pike – Jeffersontown, KY Mayor
John Bruins – Bigelow Tea Sr Director of Engineering
John Hodgson – Kentucky Representative (District 36)
Greg Oakley – Hollenbach Oakley Managing Partner
Ben Turner – Hollenbach Oakley Project Manager
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About Bigelow Tea Company
Based in Fairfield, CT and 100% family and woman-owned, the Bigelow Tea Company pioneered the specialty tea category nearly 80 years ago. The third-generation company takes pride in its heritage and successful growth from a one-product, entrepreneurial venture into America’s #1 leading tea company brand producing over 2 billion tea bags annually in the company’s three manufacturing facilities in the US. The Bigelow Tea line includes more than 150 varieties of Flavored, Traditional, Green, Herbal, Decaffeinated, steep by Bigelow Organic, Bigelow Benefits Wellness teas and Bigelow Botanicals Cold Water Infusion – including its flagship specialty tea flavor, “Constant Comment”®, an all-time American favorite. Bigelow Tea products are available nationwide and internationally as well as on www.BigelowTea.com
For more information, contact: media@bigelowtea.com