NOW Foods accelerates its expansion plans in Sparks

NOW Foods' decision to build its 50,000-square-foot manufacturing center in 2012 rather than a few years down the road will create about 100 new jobs in the region, says NOW Foods President Jim Emme.

NOW Foods, which manufactures and distributes a wide range of dietary supplements and vitamin products, had kicked about the idea of subleasing a small portion of its new 130,000-square-foot facility on Vista Boulevard until it was ready to commence manufacturing at the facility in 2014.

But increased demand for its products, as well as having general contractor United Construction already on site as it puts the finishing touches on the new building, helped convince executives with NOW Foods to advance the project's schedule. The facility is expected to begin manufacturing more than 600 products by the fourth quarter of 2012, Emme says.

NOW Foods also operates manufacturing and distribution centers in Ontario, Canada and its Bloomingdale, Ill. Headquarters.

"We didn't intend to start out manufacturing so soon, but our growth has been such that we had to expand our capacity," Emme says. "It just made sense to us.

"We had the capacity in place, and we are somewhat landlocked back East. We also felt we could get the support we needed to get the people in here. And logistically this a great area to be in, not only for the Western United States, but for shipping overseas. Our business in countries like China, the Philippines and Southeast Asia has grown quite nicely, and most of that will be serviced from here."

Emme says NOW Foods will begin hiring this summer for a wide range of jobs, including chemists, scientists and microbiologists, as well as production workers, machine operators, materials handlers, quality control technicians, managers and a general manager to oversee both the distribution and manufacturing operations. Candidates can apply for jobs at NOWFoods.com beginning in March.

"It takes a lot of highly educated, skilled people to support our products," Emme says.

NOW Foods entered the northern Nevada market in 2003 with a 23,000-square-foot distribution center and grew to 39,000 square feet and just over 40 employees. It expects to hire an additional 10 employees for distribution operations once it moves into the new building.

NOW Foods employs more than 800 people in North America, and its products are distributed in more than 65 countries around the world, says Al Powers, chief executive officer of NOW Health Group.