STRATHAM, N.H. — Lindt & Sprungli, a producer of premium chocolate, has opened a new, 40,000-square-foot multi-million dollar bean roasting facility at its U.S. headquarters in Stratham. The facility is expected to provide Lindt USA with the capability to clean, roast and grind cocoa beans, and ultimately to create cocoa liquor, making it one of the few chocolate makers in the world to have control over the whole process.

“Lindt’s major investment in the U.S. production facility reinforces our commitment to the highest quality standards and our desire to accommodate the growing consumer demand for premium chocolate,” said Ernst Tanner, chief executive officer and chairman of Swiss-based Lindt & Sprungli Group.

The new plant can process 110,000 lbs of cocoa beans a day, making chocolate products for the United States, Canada, Mexico and England.

Lindt USA operates more than 40 retail stores in the United States and maintains a wide distribution through extensive retail and wholesale channels.