Print ArticleJacksonville's manufacturing scene is a Florida anomaly. Jacksonville is home to several manufacturers making products that one may not expect to find in the area. Here's a few.
2. WhiteWave Foods
Courtesy of InvestorBistro.com
WhiteWave Foods is a company that manufactures and distributes plant-based foods and beverages. The company used to be a subsidiary of Dean Foods, a company that specializes in the production of dairy products. Dean Foods was founded din the early 1920s by a man named Samuel L. Dean. Dean started off with an evaporated milk facility, but quickly began buying other Illinois dairy plants. As a result, Dean Foods has over 100 locations today.
However, WhiteWave Foods branched off into their own IPO in 2011 and have been successful since. In 2014, WhiteWave acquired Earthbound Farms, which is American’s largest organic production company. WhiteWave is known for their production of the popular milk replacement “Silk.” They also are responsible for the production of large company brands such as “International Delight” and “Land O’Lakes.”
Another interesting nugget concerning WhiteWave's Beaver Street is its history. In 1948, Aaron Block, co-founder of Reddi Whip whip cream, established the manufacturing plant to produce his products. For years, the Jacksonville facility was known as Long Life Dairy Products, Inc. Now a national household name, Reddi-wip was invented in 1948 by Block's co-founder Aaron S. "Bunny" Lapin.
WhiteWave Foods is located at 2198 W Beaver St.
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