Starbucks doubles its Minden roasting capacity

Starbucks' roasting plant in Minden will increase its production capacity, delivering a double shot of coffee to retailers.

Starbucks spokesman Chris Gimbl said Monday the 360,000-square-foot Minden plant has added two new coffee roasters, which handle between 100 to 700 pounds of coffee each at one time, and two new packaging lines. The plant now has four roasters.

Although the company won't disclose how much total coffee is roasted in the plant, Gimbl said the company is on track with its five-year goal of producing from 60 million to 100 million pounds a year.

In January 2003, the company set the goal for the Minden plant to be at full capacity by 2007. It will have six roasters ultimately.

"It will be the same as the two existing roasting plants that we have in the U.S. - one in Kent, Wash., and the other in York, Pa. Each of those facilities processes between 60 and 100 million pounds of coffee a year."

All three U.S. roasters produce every brand of coffee sold in national Starbucks' chains. To handle the double capacity roasting, 21 employees were hired. Gimbl said 21 more employees will be hired by the end of the summer, which will bring the plant up to 193 employees.

"We're well on our way to meeting our five-year goals, and we're thrilled with this plant."

Starbucks' part-time and full-time employees at the Minden plant are eligible to receive health and dental care. They also receive a yearly grant of stick options and participate in a stock purchasing plan. The average hourly wage for the Starbucks' Minden workers is $17.22.

Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.