Rodelle Completes Expansion of Vanilla Plant

Rodelle Inc., a producer of premium vanilla extract, baking essentials and gourmet spices, recently opened a new vanilla extraction and bottling facility in Fort Collins, Colo.

The 32,000-square-foot addition was customized to meet the company’s needs. The expanded 65,000-square-foot facility, which employs 67 associates, includes a state-of-the-art vanilla extraction facility and takes advantage of innovative technology and efficient bottling, combining all aspects of the business into one location.

“Rodelle’s ability to produce premium vanilla extract and baking essentials, coupled with increased demands, necessitated the expansion to accommodate future production demands,” said Joe Basta, co-owner.

With increased output and the ability to extract different concentrations, Rodelle will be entering the industrial sales market as well as solidifying its place as one of the country’s largest producers of retail vanilla.

Rodelle has developed unique relationships with its growers and the cooperatives it is a part of in Uganda and Madagascar. These growers are all small family farms as each vanilla vine must be cared for by hand and the process is quite labor-intensive. Rodelle focuses on working with the local farmers and people in the growing regions to lay the groundwork for a better future.

“We believe making a difference is integral to sustaining and growing our Rodelle communities, and we invest each year back into the growing regions with microfinance, water sanitation and reforestation programs,” said Basta.

Originating in the south of France, Rodelle has created premier baking essentials since 1936. The first retail bottle of Rodelle-branded vanilla extract hit grocery store shelves in 1985 and it is now one of America’s largest brands of high-quality baking ingredients, and is also sold globally.