Starbucks to spend millions on Kent roasting plant

The Seattle-based company plans a multi-million dollar investment in the plant that opened in 1992 in north Kent.

An employee checks the beans at the Starbucks roasting plant in Kent. The company plans a major investment in the plant

An employee checks the beans at the Starbucks roasting plant in Kent. The company plans a major investment in the plant

Things are about to perk up at Kent’s Starbucks roasting plant.

The Seattle-based company plans a multi-million dollar investment in the plant that opened in 1992 in north Kent.

“It’s going to be in the multi-tens of millions (of dollars),” said Starbucks spokesman Alan Hilowitz during a phone interview Thursday.

Hilowitz said he didn’t have an exact figure yet on the amount of the investment, but many changes are planned.

“It’s going to be a great upgrade,” Hilowitz said. “It will make it a world class manufacturing and distribution facility.”

The three major changes include:

• Upgrade the current manufacturing, packaging and distribution center.

• Move the pilot plant to Kent from the Seattle headquarters for more room to test new products and packaging.

• Move the Starbucks-owned Tazo Tea manufacturing plant to Kent from Portland.

“It’s a business decision,” Hilowitz said. “It creates effectiveness and reduces redundancies.”

Starbucks plans to start the Tazo Tea move in April and finish it by next November. The company bought Tazo in 1999.

“Right now the tea is manufactured in Portland, shipped to Kent and then sent out to the stores,” Hilowitz said. “This will eliminate the extra shipping. The consolidation gives us one point of distribution on the West Coast – Kent.”

The 37 employees at the Portland tea plant will receive offers of a full relocation package to work in Kent; other job offers within the company; or a severance package.

The improvements are expected to add about 50 jobs to the Kent plant, which now has about 140 employees.

Starbucks also has roasting plants in Nevada, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Amsterdam.

 

View Larger Map


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property