Lotus Bakeries, which has its U.S. manufacturing facility in Mebane, is planning a second expansion since the U.S. plans were announced in 2016. Lotus is probably best known in the U.S. for its Biscoff cookies (known as “biscuits” in Europe) served on many airlines.
Even before construction was completed on what was originally announced in 2016 as a $55.3 million plant, the company announced an $17.4 million expansion in 2018, bringing the total investment in the Mebane manufacturing facility to $72.7 million.
Today, Alamance County commissioners heard Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce president Mac Williams, who also serves as the county’s industrial recruiter, announce plans for an incentives hearing on a third Lotus incentives request for April 19.
The company has gotten $1.762 million from the county and a like amount from the city of Mebane during its first two incentives requests.
Neither the amount of the company’s newest investment nor the new requested incentives level was revealed Monday, but will be known next week, prior to the April 19 hearing.
However, The Alamance News has learned that the proposed investment level is anticipated to be about $60 million, with both the county and Mebane being asked to contribute $600,000 each in additional incentives toward the newest expansion.
Meanwhile, the parent company has expanded its Biscoff-branded product line in recent months to include Biscoff ice cream and ice cream bars, as well as a creamy European cookie spread (marketed alongside peanut butter), which are currently sold at Walmart and Target stores at the Piedmont-Triad region.
