Machine Nation News Team
August 13, 2025 at 10:45:00 AM
Nature’s Bakery Has Opened A $240 Million Plant In Utah’s Capital, Part Of Mars’ Pledge To
Invest $2 Billion Into U.S. Manufacturing
Nature’s Bakery, a Mars, Incorporated brand, opened a $240 million, 339,000-square-foot baking facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 30, 2025, marking a milestone in Mars’ $2 billion U.S. manufacturing pledge through 2026. The LEED Silver-certified plant, located at 2331 N. 2200 West in the Mountain West neighborhood, produces over 1 billion soft-baked snack bars annually, including fig and blueberry varieties, using plant-based, dairy-free, nut-free ingredients. The facility, supported by a $2.3 million post-performance tax credit from Utah’s
Economic Development Tax Increment Financing program, will create 230 jobs, boosting Salt Lake County’s 15,000-strong manufacturing workforce. Targeting a $4 billion granola and snack bar market, the plant reflects Nature’s Bakery’s 30% volume growth since Mars’ 2021 acquisition. CEO Steve Gardiner stated, “This facility unlocks our growth potential, meeting consumer demand for wholesome snacks.
For the precision machining industry, Nature’s Bakery’s plant highlights the critical role of tool life in manufacturing baking equipment. Components like conveyor rollers require CNC milling with extended tool life, typically 100–500 hours, to achieve tolerances within ±0.001 inches andsurface roughness as low as Ra 8 µin for food-grade alloys. 5-axis milling machines, optimized for tool life through controlled cutting forces, support automated production with real-time quality control. The project drives demand for local machine shops to supply precision tooling, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI-driven milling and additive manufacturing. As part of a $50 billion precision manufacturing market, this initiative creates opportunities for suppliers in Utah, where manufacturing jobs grew 2% since 2022, strengthening food supply chains.
Source:
Social Media Buzz (powered by X):
X is baking up buzz for Nature’s Bakery’s $240 million Salt Lake City plant, with posts from July 30–August 3, 2025, calling it a “sweet spot for U.S. snacking.” Users celebrated the 230 jobs, with one saying, “Utah’s fueling the healthy snack boom!” while another tied it to “Mars’ reshoring push.” Some questioned the tax credit’s value. The X oven bakes with delight for growth but wants recipe transparency.
What is the KEY TERM?
This is one of many key terms of our broad Machine Nation Essential Modern Precision Industries Guidebook (MPIG). Click here to get a copy straight to your inbox.
Tool Life - The operational duration of a CNC milling tool before replacement, measured in hours, critical for maintaining precision and cost-efficiency in component production.
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Related Tags:
#NaturesBakeryUtah #SnackManufacturing #ToolLife #PrecisionMachining #SustainableBaking #Reshoring