Portland, Ore. – April 1, 2008 – Yoshida Foods International (YFI) has expanded its capabilities in its 70,000-square-foot plant near the Portland International Airport, creating one of the most extensive facilities for manufacturing and co-packing high-end beverages and specialty sauces on the West Coast. The extended capabilities were added to produce the premium soda brand, Crater Lake Soda, marketed by Ocean Mist Sales & Marketing, which is affiliated with the Yoshida Group.
“National brands are approaching us to help with regional manufacturing and co-packing to reduce unnecessary transportation of their product. Our plant is strategically located at the I-5, I-205 and I-84 corridor in Portland,” explained Frank Heuschkel, General Manager of YFI.”Regional manufacturing makes economic sense and is a smart, sustainable business decision.”
This new facility is also serving Portland brands such as Kombucha Wonder Drink, an organic, sparkling fermented tea. This innovative manufacturing plant provides not only hot-fill PET/plastic/glass capabilities, but is one of the only operations on the West Coast to offer tunnel pasteurization for mixblend, cold-filled, carbonated, beverages in a glass bottle. The plant is also kosher and organically certified in addition to numerous other attributes.
ABOUT CRATER LAKE SODA
Crater Lake Soda offers four varieties of specialty sodas in Portland, Oregon. Their Root Beer, Orange Cream Soda, Lemon Lime Bitter, and Vanilla Cream are made with pure cane sugar and lightly carbonated – without caffeine or foam-enhancing additives. This crisp, refreshing soda is available in individual 12 oz. bottles, six-packs, cases of 24, and kegs. This truly gourmet soda brand is currently available throughout the Pacific Northwest, with plans to enter additional markets in 2008. For more information, visit www.craterlakesoda.com.