A former biodiesel manufacturing plant in Bangor is being turned into a new site for Marrone Bio Innovations Inc., a leading global provider of natural pest management products for the agricultural and water treatment markets.
The company says it will bring 50 new jobs to the area over the next several years.
Marrone Bio Innovations previously has used others to manufacture its products. Acquisition of the Bangor facility, an 11-acre, 11,000-square-foot manufacturing site, is part of the 5-year-old company’s manufacturing strategy for long-term growth.
Marrone Bio Innovations, based in Davis, Calif. broke ground Aug. 21 on the facility in Bangor where it plans to manufacture two of its most recently introduced products: a broad-spectrum bioinsecticide for controlling insects and mites and the first naturally derived product for the control of invasive zebra and quagga mussels, which have invaded freshwater lakes and rivers throughout Michigan.
The company says it has developed a pipeline of environmentally friendly natural agricultural products products for the agricultural and water treatment markets, including several nematicide, fungicide, algaecide and plant health product candidates. Marrone Bio Innovations has more than three dozen patents pending in the U.S. and around the world.
MBI CEO Pam Marrone credits Michigan's business-friendly climate for the move. She also cites support of Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Bangor’s Mayor Jennifer Carpio-Zeller, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Southwest Michigan First and other state officials for their role in the decision to locate in the Van Buren County community.
"We expect that having a U.S.-based facility with access to a highly skilled workforce in Michigan will allow us to maintain an exemplary level of quality control as we manufacture our products," says Marrone. "This is extremely important as we seek to commercialize additional products, grow our production capacity and serve our worldwide customers and distribution partners."
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Pam Marrone, Marrone Bio Innovations
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.