Revol Greens, a Minnesota-based producer of greenhouse lettuce, has plans to locate a new a manufacturing operation in Temple, Texas.
Pending final negotiations with Bell County Commissioners Court, the company plans to construct a 40-acre advanced greenhouse as part of an investment representing over $110 million. This includes two phases of what will ultimately be a four-phase expansion, expected to be the largest lettuce greenhouse globally at full build out. Revol Greens will add 150 competitive, family-wage jobs with benefits over the next three to four years.
The facility will be financed by Equilibrium Capital, the leading investor in the greenhouse and controlled environment sectors in North America. In addition to investments with AppHarvest in Kentucky, Houweling’s in California and Utah, and Finka in Mexico, Equilibrium’s Controlled Environment Foods strategy investments also include Revol’s existing facilities in Minnesota and California.
“We are thrilled to welcome Revol Greens to Temple,” said Adrian Cannady, president and CEO of Temple Economic Development Corporation. “Revol joins a growing roster of food and beverage companies that choose to base their manufacturing and distribution operations in Temple, Texas.”
With locations in Minnesota, California and now Temple, Revol Greens is the largest lettuce greenhouse grower in North America. Applying advanced growing methods and greenhouse technology, Revol Greens uses 90% less water than traditional field-grown greens.
Currently, Revol’s greens are available in stores and restaurants across the Midwest. The new Temple operation represents Revol’s first southern expansion, which will allow the company to distribute its sustainably produced, organic lettuce products throughout Central Texas and the South. Products will move from the facility to market three to four days faster than food products coming from the west coast, enhancing freshness.
“Revol Greens selected Temple for our new facility in order to expand our production and distribution capabilities,” said Mike Wainscott, CFO of Revol Greens. “The Temple greenhouse will produce upwards of 17 million pounds of greens annually upon completion of phase two. Temple’s central location in Texas means our products will reach shelves and tables throughout the southern U.S. efficiently. We’re eager to begin production in Temple and appreciate the work that the Temple EDC has invested over the past eight months to make this project happen.”
Already, several food and beverage companies maintain headquarters or major operations in Temple. The city’s central location within three hours of Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio, with direct access to I-35, allows food and beverage companies to distribute their products to all of Texas, the Southeast U.S., Mexico and beyond. Competitive business costs and a growing pool of skilled talent also contribute to success for companies in this industry.
Upon approval from Bell County Commissioners Court, Revol Greens will break ground on the new operation in 2021, with plans to be operational in 2022.