After some years of declining construction activity, the number of projects increased this year for the first time since 2010, which, by the way, was the last time the International Baking Industry Exposition was held. However, the significant projects announced in Baking & Snack’s 2013 construction report as completed or are currently under way within the past 18 months still fell short of just three years ago. Even so, adding bricks and mortar once again appears to be on an upswing and the activity far outpaces 2009.

While more bakeries are getting larger this year, other companies such as Turano Baking Co. are finding ways to increase capacity and add versatility within their existing facilities. Without adding to the building’s structure at its Bolingbrook, Ill., plant, Turano shoehorned in a new line to automate production of baguettes and other value-added artisan bread and rolls.

The building boom may not be as big as 2010, but many bakeries appear to be making capital investments to add volume while improving overall efficiency and lowering operating costs. In this year’s report, construction activity totaled more than $1.3 billion, a jump of more than $300 million from last year’s report.