Although you might not recognize their name, Bimbo Bakeries USA, there's a good chance you've enjoyed some of their products. It's the nation's largest baking company, and producer of many familiar brands found on just about every grocery shelf.
At Bimbo's local plant in Carlisle, they produce strictly Entenmann's donuts. The plant operates four production lines, turning out 2-million circular treats a day at the rate of about 600 a minute.
Plant manager Alberto Montezuma has been at the helm of the local plant since it opened ten years ago. And, today he oversees nearly 200 workers and the shipment of 12 to 15 tractor-trailer loads of donuts every day to every state east of the Mississippi River. Their products include glazed, crumb topped, plain and powdered donuts. But the star of the show is Entenmann's Rich Frosted variety. It's their top seller and it's about to turn 40. And, in a few days, the 4-hundred millionth edition of that chocolate covered goodie will roll off the production line.
For the most part, the Carlisle plant is not well known outside the local business community, but production manager Todd Eppley said that is about to change. Plant officials say that is beginning to change.
"For the first seven or eight years, we were very quiet here at the plant," Eppley explained. " We just went about business and filled orders. The last couple of years we've been looking at how we can get more involved in the community. And we want to partner with the community to make Carlisle a better place."
As with most businesses, updating equipment and controlling costs at the Carlisle plant are on-going concerns. But, the folks in charge of making the donuts have reason for optimism.
"People like to have sweets in a good economy and bad economy," said Eppley. " And, I think that's a big plus for us."
Out and about, where dough delivers delight, I'm Chuck Rhodes for abc 27 News.
