Oatly, the world's first oat drink company, will employ more than 100 once it enters its new Fort Worth manufacturing center in 2023, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce said Wednesday.
The Fort Worth City Council earlier this year approved an economic development agreement to draw Oatly and its planned 280,000-square-foot manufacturing center. The center will be at 7550 Oak Grove Road.
The oat milk category more than doubled in the United States in 2020 from the prior year, according to Nielsen, "fueling demand for Oatly’s products to outpace current supply," the Chamber said.
The facility will produce an estimated 150 million liters of oatmilk annually and have the largest footprint of the company’s three North American facilities. Oatly’s new factory is the third production facility for the company in North America, joining its facilities in Millville, N.J. and Ogden, Utah.
"Built for the future, the factory will have ample space for expansion even after it starts producing oatmilk," the Chamber said. "The facility will be one of nine facilities around the world the company will open by 2023, as it expands to further its mission of growing the plant-based movement and shifting the food system toward one that’s built for planetary and human health."
“Every time someone decides to take their coffee with oatmilk or have an Oatgurt for their afternoon snack, we believe they’re making a choice that’s healthier for them and the planet," Oatly's president North America, Mike Messersmith, said.
"And more and more people are making those choices every day. We’re excited to break ground on this factory in Fort Worth, which we believe will allow us to meet the growing demand for Oatly’s products and grow our positive impact on the planet.”
The Chamber worked closely with Oatly and the City of Fort Worth on the Oatly case. Brian Corde and Ann Petersen from Atlas Insight LLC, a site selection firm based in Freehold, N.J. helped Oatly choose the location "based on key sustainability, workforce and geographic criteria," the Chamber said.
“We are thrilled to welcome Oatly, an established, global brand to Fort Worth,” Chris Strayer, executive vice president of economic development for the Chamber, said. “Our central U.S. location, affordable land with room to grow, and skilled manufacturing workforce will be an excellent home for Oatly.”
The Chamber is actively working on more than 100 relocation and expansion projects, about 75% manufacturing/industrial, the Chamber said.
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