Awrey's Bakery Hosts State of the Company; Unveils New Gluten-Free Baking Room and Products

LIVONIA, Mich., Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Awrey's Bakery unveiled its new gluten-free baking room during a State of the Company Address at its headquarters in Livonia today.  Company leaders also showed off additional production space that is in the final throes of USDA approval to be used for meat pie and deli tray production.

During the press conference, company officials Ron Beebe and James McColgan discussed how the company has grown in excess of even their predictions when they acquired the assets of Awrey's Bakery in February 2013.

At the time of its sale to Beebe and McColgan, Awrey's already had laid off its entire staff and was preparing to auction off its physical assets, including baking equipment, stand mixers, flour hoppers and cooling racks.  Beebe and McColgan partnered together, forming Minnie Marie Bakers, Inc. and purchasing the Awrey's brand name.

During the State of the Company address, Awrey's declared the company had not only hired back almost 50 of the laid off workers, but also almost doubled its staff to 94. 

"I grew up on Awrey's cakes and pastries, so to be able to revive this brand and achieve the success we have within one year is a great feeling," said Awrey's CEO Jim McColgan.  "The efforts of the entire organization, from our front office to the factory, have been nothing short of phenomenal.  Be it through traditional favorites like our chocolate ripple cakes, Date Nut cookies, Long John Coffee Cake or our new gluten-free products, we look forward to keeping Awrey's a household name for many years to come."

Other highlights of the address include:

• Private label Awrey's products now offered at more than 300 stores and retailers throughout the country, including Walmart, Kroger, Spartan Foods, Hiller's Markets, and Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace
• Development of a new line of pastries including a meat pie, which is an assortment of meat and vegetables surrounded by a flaky crust
• Expanded USDA production facility
• Became Safe Quality Food (SQF) certified

Awrey's, which has been kosher "Orthodox Union" certified since 1992, also announced the launch of close to 40 gluten-free products, including cooking ingredients like flour and brownie mix, pasta, bread, buns, muffins and dinner rolls.  The entire Awrey's baking plant has been certified Gluten-Free as long as no other gluten-containing products are in production while gluten-free products are being baked.

Officially certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), foods made in this baking room will not contain the protein complex found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale.  This particular room at Awrey's also has been designed so that it can operate without fear of contamination from other products being made in the same facility.  It is gluten-free to 10 ppm gluten or less.

"So many people have either opted to go gluten-free or need to due to health reasons," said Awrey's Chairman Ron Beebe.  "Having healthy products they can enjoy is a priority for our company."

SOURCE Awrey’s Bakery