By Ariel Worthy
The Birmingham Times
Milo’s Tea Company announced on Tuesday the opening of their newly expanded 15.5-acre headquarters in Bessemer.
“We’re proud of Milo’s as a company and the overall growth of the brand through the past 15 years here in the city of Bessemer,” said Kenneth Gulley, mayor of Bessemer. “ Milo’s is a great corporate partner, and we were thrilled to work with them on this latest expansion.”
The expanded campus encompasses more than 150,000 square feet of production, shipping, storage and office space. Fifteen years ago, the then newly opened facility was 30,000 square feet on 3.5 acres.
The facility is the only location where the company fresh brews and bottles over 250 gallons of their all-natural beverages per minute.
Milo’s is no stranger to growth, said Patricia Wallwork, CEO of Milo’s Tea Company.
“When we first bought our site here in 2002 we only purchased 3.5 acres,” she said. “And today… we now have over 15 acres and over 150,000 square feet of space.
“Milo’s continued growth is a testimony to our investment in our people, the quality of our products and the support of our loyal fans,” Wallwork said. “When my grandfather founded our business in 1946 his motto was, ‘use high-quality ingredients, listen to your customers and never sacrifice taste.’ More than 70 years later, Milo’s mission remains the same.
Brian Hilson, president and CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance, said companies invest in cities where they want to be “and cities must be prepared for companies to make those investments.”
“I know you have continued to do the right thing to make Bessemer an attractive, inviting home for Milo’s to continue to grow,” Hilson told city officials. “I think of Milo’s as an ambassador for the state of Alabama. It’s because of the legacy of the company and the quality that it implies in all that it does.”
Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens, who represents the area, said he was pleased to see a “homegrown company growing Jefferson County.”
“We’ve worked hard to give our businesses an environment conducive to success,” Stephens said. “We understand that our success is dependent on their success. As they grow the quality of life for the citizens in the county improves.”
