Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) is implementing a strategy to develop new and more automated and efficient bakeries with upgraded food quality standards and increased production capacity. This strategy drove the demand for BBU’s bakery facility in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
The $75-million, 231,000 SF commercial baking facility includes Austin’s engineering and construction of the bakery and ingredients processing area, receiving and shipping facilities, automated packaging and warehouse areas, basket wash, electrical equipment and mechanical areas, offices, lunch and locker rooms, and meeting rooms. The new facility features multiple production lines and utilizes some of the fastest baking equipment available.
Situated on approximately 29 acres, the facility includes bakery, packaging and warehouse areas; a basket wash area; and entry, office and mechanical areas, and other support.
To support Bimbo’s vision for environmental sustainability, the facility was designed and constructed to achieve LEED® standards and was awarded LEED® Gold Certification. This LEED® Gold recognition is a first for Bimbo Bakeries USA. Austin’s site work included: rain gardens, multiple infiltration ponds and riparian buffers to help manage storm water, highly-efficient HVAC, energy-efficient equipment and fixtures, Solatubes to maximize natural lighting, and hot water return recirculation.
Other site and facility amenities include: automatic pan storage and retrieval systems for multiple pan types, ingredient silos, and receiving dock areas with over 20 dock spaces, including unloading station, truck dock maneuvering, on-site trailer parking, and separate employee and visitor parking.
The Austin Company has been working with BBU (formerly George Weston Bakeries) since 2001. BBU operates about 70 bakeries and has more than 27,000 employees nationwide. BBU brands include: Arnold, Entenmann’s, Sara Lee, Stroehmann and Thomas’ English Muffins.
