Pasta Montana Celebrates Opening of New $6.5M Processing Line, Marking 20th Anniversary in Great Falls, Montana

GREAT FALLS, Mont., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dry pasta manufacturer, Pasta Montana, owned by Nippon Flour Mills, marked its 20^th anniversary this week in Great Falls, MT, by opening a new $6.5 million processing line. Pasta Montana's 91,000-square-foot facility, which employs 115, will increase production capacity from 55 to 80 million pounds of pasta annually – a 28 percent rise.

"Our new production line will move 4,850 pounds of pasta per hour, and operate 24 hours each day, enabling us to continue to grow our staff," says Randy Gilbertson, chief operating officer of Pasta Montana. 

Founded in 1997, Pasta Montana's goal was to create the world's finest pasta using a blend of wheat, water and technology. In the spring of 2000, Nippon Flour Mills, Japan's oldest industrial flour miller and a leading producer of flour-related products, purchased Pasta Montana to help the company go global.

CEO of Pasta Montana, Miharu Kobayashi, and CEO of Nippon, Hiroshi Sawada, along with Japanese representatives for the consul general of Japan and U.S. relations attended an event on Monday, August 21, 2017, recognizing Pasta Montana's 20 years of pasta production in Great Falls this week.

The Great Falls region of Montana is home to four Japanese-owned companies: Pasta Montana, Columbia Grain, Montana Specialty Mills and Helena Chemical.

"The high-quality ingredients plus low manufacturing costs, supply chain partnerships, skilled workers, and numerous other benefits give food manufacturers an advantage locating here," says Brett Doney, president and CEO of Great Falls Montana Development Authority (GFDA).

"Pasta Montana's success proves that agri-processing operations are thriving in the Great Falls region," says Collin Watters, executive vice president, Montana Wheat and Barley Committee.

About Pasta Montana

Owned by Nippon Flour Mills, Pasta Montana is situated in an area of Great Falls famous for its gluten strength and high protein durum wheat. http://www.pastamontana.com

About Montana Wheat and Barley Committee

The Montana Wheat and Barley Committee is the producer-funded and directed checkoff organization for wheat and barley growers in the state. http://wbc.agr.mt.gov/

About the Great Falls Montana Development Authority

The economic development organization works to promote growth and diversification throughout the Great Falls region of Montana. http://www.gfdevelopment.org/

SOURCE Great Falls Montana Development Authority