Bethlehem – October 01, 2026 -- Kerry has opened its first manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, a coffee extraction plant in Bethlehem that significantly expands the company's hot and cold brew capacity for North American customers.
Kerry cuts ribbon on Bethlehem plant with independent hot and cold brew lines
The facility, first announced in September 2025, officially opened September 30 with a ceremony attended by customers, industry partners and government officials. The site uses advanced extraction, concentration and thermal processing technologies to produce formulation-specific coffee ingredients for ready-to-drink beverages, alcoholic drinks, ice cream and savory sauces. Its independent extraction lines are designed to scale as customer demand increases.
Pennsylvania official cites job creation and economic growth from the investment
John Cahalane, President & CEO of Kerry North America, said the Bethlehem site brings added capacity and processing capability closer to East Coast customers, improving responsiveness to shifting hot and cold coffee preferences while reducing supply chain complexity. Rick Siger, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, said the facility drives local job creation in Bethlehem and positions the state in modern food manufacturing.
Specialty coffee demand hits record 48% of U.S. adults, outpacing traditional brews
The plant opens as U.S. premium coffee demand climbs. National Coffee Association data show 48% of American adults drank specialty coffee in the past day, surpassing traditional coffee at 39% and marking a record high. Dunnhumby's 2026 coffee trends analysis of more than 50 million shoppers found consumers trading up to higher-quality coffee, including RTD formats, despite rising prices.
High-Brix concentration technology cuts carbon footprint by up to 61%
Kerry's High-Brix concentration process (23–30 Brix) combined with ambient shipping reduces water transport and carbon emissions versus refrigerated alternatives. The company reports 61% lower carbon when using Direct Concentrated Fresh beans, 40% lower carbon versus competitor conventional coffee offerings, and 34% lower carbon compared to refrigerated Brix products. The facility also enables foodservice operators to launch iced lattes, espresso-style drinks, cold brew and functional beverages without barista training or equipment capital investment.
Kerry sources ingredients aligned with USDA Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and Café Femenino certification standards for the facility's coffee supply chain.