Special guests, employees and the public gathered Oct. 3 to celebrate the grand opening of Michael Foods in Norwalk, Iowa, to kick off National Manufacturing Day. The company operates several facilities in Iowa, and this is its first in the Des Moines, Iowa, metro area.

The 150,000 sq. ft. facility, which processes eggs and precooked egg products, is anticipated to add 168 jobs to Norwalk within its first two years and is located at Iowa's first Certified Industrial Site operating at full business capacity.

“We are excited to open our doors and officially join the Norwalk community,” Michael Foods president Mark Westphal said. “Our new neighbors have been great to work with throughout the development process. We chose Norwalk for its vibrant and energetic community as well as its proximity to our supply chain.”

Attendees also heard from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Norwalk mayor Tom Phillips.

“It is a wonderful moment when national manufacturers select Iowa to grow,” Reynolds said. “Our state continues to draw prominent businesses because of our top-rated workforce and unmatched quality of life. We are excited to celebrate National Manufacturing Day with Michael Foods' new facility.”

Michael Foods, a subsidiary of Post Holdings Inc. headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., delivers innovative food products and culinary solutions to foodservice distributors, food manufacturers and restaurants across the country through its extensive distribution network. It produces and distributes a wide portfolio of egg and potato products, along with a variety of specialty food offerings, including sausage, sausage gravy, macaroni and cheese and more.

Post Holdings, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., is a consumer packaged goods holding company operating in the center-of-the-store, refrigerated, foodservice, food ingredient and convenient nutrition food categories.

National Manufacturing Day, held annually the first Friday in October to highlight the importance of manufacturing to the U.S. economy, emphasizes the advances of modern manufacturing and is meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers.