Fueled by continued growth, NOW Foods has begun manufacturing products in a second U.S. location with the opening of their new manufacturing facility, a 165,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center in Sparks, Nev.

For nearly a decade, NOW’s Western Distribution facility in Sparks has served the needs of customers in the western states, but rapidly growing demand led the company to break ground on a new, much larger facility in 2011. This new facility was carefully planned with expansion in mind; specifically, the addition of manufacturing capabilities, originally planned for 2014. Continued high demand has led the company to accelerate these plans, and manufacturing at the Sparks location will commence this week. NOW will also be implementing softgel manufacturing capabilities at this location, another first for the company.

In addition, similar to the Bloomingdale, Ill., facility, NOW Foods will maintain on-site laboratory facilities that will include two high performance liquid chromatographs (HPLC) and two gas chromatographs (GC), with ample room for additional instrumentation. This second lab facility will duplicate the stellar quality standards of the Bloomingdale location.

In keeping with NOW’s long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability, the new Sparks facility is built to meet the latest environmental standards, and the company has been awarded LEED Silver Certification from the United States Green Building Council.

NOW Foods is in the process of filling 125 new Manufacturing and Technical positions, with plans for continued growth throughout 2013. Full-time positions created at this facility include manufacturing managers, skilled machine operators, chemists, quality assurance experts, warehouse staff, and general labor, with multiple shift options available.

“This facility allows us to better serve our customers and meet growing demand for NOW’s full line of natural products,” said NOW President Jim Emme. “It’s gratifying not only to reach this remarkable milestone in our 45th year of business, but also to have the support of our customers, which allows us to create jobs at a time when they make a difference.”