Bigelow Tea, the 100% woman owned and operated family tea company founded in 1945, is excited to announce the groundbreaking of its new state-of-the-art facility located at Blankenbaker Road in Louisville. The ceremony, which took place at the site at 2706 Blankenbaker Road, marked the commencement of construction on this significant project.
The new 265,000-square-foot building will serve as a key facility for Bigelow Tea’s production, packaging, storage, and distribution operations. The site also includes 25,000 square feet of planned office space, and it sits on a sprawling 20-acre plot, allowing for a future expansion of 75,000 square feet as the company continues to grow.
Cindi Bigelow the company’s CEO and President is excited to see the building come to fruition. “There are so many people that have worked tirelessly to bring this project to life. I especially want to call out John Bruins, Senior Director of Engineering, for his commitment to talking to almost every employee over the last two years to ensure that this facility was built to include everyone’s needs.”
Hollenbach Oakley has been awarded the Project Management agreement for the construction of this new facility, and Horizon Commercial Realty played a pivotal role in facilitating the purchase of the property, ensuring that Bigelow Tea’s vision for its new facility could be realized.
Greg Oakley, Managing Partner of Hollenbach Oakley and Horizon Commercial Realty, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration. “Working with Bigelow Tea on this project is a tremendous honor. This facility will not only enhance their operational capabilities but also demonstrate their commitment to the Louisville community and sustainable practices,” Oakley said.
Sitework is scheduled to begin this year, with the main construction phase slated to start in early 2025. Civil drawings have already been completed, and the facility will include environmentally friendly features such as solar canopies over employee parking lots, underscoring Bigelow Tea’s commitment to sustainability.
With the start of this project, Bigelow Tea’s plan includes expanding their workforce, further contributing to the local economy. The total investment for this project is estimated at over $70 million.
Bigelow Tea’s current Louisville facility is located at 2401 Constant Comment Place, for over 30 years and is very happy to be able to expand in the same wonderful community. The new facility marks a significant milestone in the company’s continued growth and commitment to excellence.