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Dsm-Firmenich Launches Plainsboro Pilot Plant

Dsm-Firmenich, a Swiss-Dutch company specializing in fragrances, flavors, nutrition, and beauty products has opened a new pilot plant on Plainsboro Road in Plainsboro designed to enable collaboration with customers as part of its Taste, Texture & Health Business Unit.

Per a press release from the company, the new facility “will support the company’s commitment to accelerate global diet transformation – by providing food & beverage brands with the capabilities to create enjoyable eating and drinking experiences that are healthier for people and more sustainable for the planet.

“The facility offers a full range of capabilities and equipment to help customers move from development on the benchtop to small scale-up production in the pilot plant that will inform and accelerate final large-scale production. The pilot plant is focused on scaling up beverage production and will support applications such as juices, ready-to-drink coffee and tea, sports drinks, carbonated soft drinks, sparkling water, energy drinks, as well as dairy & plant-based products like milks, creamers, and protein shakes.

“The pilot plant was designed to enable strong collaboration within the dsm-firmenich and customer teams during benchtop development as well as to incorporate consumer feedback into the overall development process. The new pilot lab is strategically adjacent to both the dsm-firmenich development labs as well as to the consumer sensory lab and focus group room which enables the voice of the consumer to be brought into the process throughout development. In addition, the area is designed with a conference room with a direct view of the pilot facility which maximizes collaboration with customers.”

“Our fully equipped pilot plant is a powerful next step in our vision for our Taste, Texture & Health North American headquarters, allowing us to partner even more impactfully with customers to create the next generation of consumer food and beverage experiences that are good for people and the planet,” said Maurizio Clementi, executive vice president-taste for Taste, Texture & Health. “Our state-of-the-art facility will be a vibrant place where passion and expertise meet.”

“With this new pilot plant, we offer our valued customers and partners a comprehensive set of capabilities and the latest cutting-edge equipment, all carefully designed to foster collaboration, improve consumer insights, and accelerate time-to-market,” said Chris Perkins, senior vice president Taste, Texture & Health North America. “We have built a solid infrastructure in Plainsboro propelled by an incredibly talented team with a strong innovation network.”

More information: www.dsm-firmenich.com.

Toll Bros. Announces New West Windsor Development

A new age-restricted community for active adults ages 55 and up is expected to open this summer in West Windsor, luxury home builder Toll Bros. has announced. Regency at West Windsor, located at the intersection of Old Trenton Road and Dorchester Drive, is currently under construction.

Once completed, the development will include 66 townhomes, with a choice of six home designs. Townhouses will range from 2,198 to 2,304 square feet and will have three bedrooms and 2.5 to 3.5 bathrooms. Other features include first-floor primary suites, lofts and flex spaces, full basements, and one- or two-car garages. Prices are expected to start in the high $700,000s.

Customizations, including the option to finish the basement, will be available from Toll Bros.’ design consultants.

Other on-site amenities will include a clubhouse with an outdoor pool, fitness center, and kitchenette, as well as walking trails throughout the community.

“With a strong history of building luxury homes in New Jersey since 1982, this neighborhood truly exemplifies the Toll Bros. brand and Regency active-adult resort lifestyle that we’re known for,” James Fitzpatrick, group president of Toll Bros. in New Jersey, said in a statement.

“With our most popular features already included and unrivaled personalization options available through our design studio experience, we continue to offer our residents the best in luxury active-adult living in the most desirable locations throughout the state.”

Massive Pickleball Complex Coming to Robbinsville

The Robbinsville Pickle House — the largest pickleball facility in the Northeast — is set to break ground in town this spring.

The location is at the Robbinsville Fieldhouse — the former home of the Bob Smith Soccer Academy, which left the facility effective March 31. In a letter to customers, the academy said that its programs and staff will be relocating to a new location that is yet to be determined.

“The maintenance required to continue our soccer programs safely at the Robbinsville Fieldhouse, unfortunately, will not be completed at this time therefore causing our move,” stated the letter as the reason for leaving.

The Pickle House “is set to revolutionize the pickleball scene in New Jersey beginning this fall with over 20 state-of-the-art courts, making it the largest pickleball facility in the Northeast,” said a township news release. It “promises an unparalleled experience for players and spectators alike. The indoor arena will offer a world-renowned venue equipped with cutting-edge amenities.”

Key features of the Pickle House include:

A 60,000 square-foot facility with over 20 indoor commercial pickleball courts designed for optimal game play through a collaboration with USA Pickleball; an in-house restaurant and bar cafe;state-of-the-art lighting for optimal gameplay; and year-round temperature control with air conditioning, radiant heat and heated courts.

“USA Pickleball is excited to collaborate with the leadership team of the Robbinsville Pickle House to deliver a facility of this scale in one of the largest markets of the United States,” stated Carl Schmits, USA Pickleball managing director of facilities development/equipment standards.

“As we continue to see an explosion in demand for pickleball courts and facilities across the country, it is great to see the Robbinsville project come to life and provide local communities with a phenomenal place to play,” Schmits said.

“The Pickle House is all about fostering a community of players,” said the township release. “From league tournaments to classes and private court rentals, the Pickle House will offer opportunities for players to hone their skills and connect with fellow enthusiasts.”

The facility is the brainchild of Christopher Vernon, founder of Mercer Management. Vernon said all involved are “thrilled” to unveil the Pickle House later this year, adding that it’s “a culmination of our dedication to providing top-tier facilities for athletes of all backgrounds. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, the Pickle House welcomes you to experience pickleball like never before.”

The Robbinsville Hampton Inn and Suites is attached to the complex, in addition to partner hotels Homewood Suites by Hilton or Hilton Garden Inn being nearby to provide accommodations for league events and overnight visits.

Once open, visitors will be able to purchase annual membership to the Pickle House or stop by for hourly rentals.

“We are thrilled to help accommodate one of the fastest growing sports in America, if not the world,” Robbinsville Township Mayor Dave Fried said. “This iconic fieldhouse has been the source of so many wonderful memories over the years, and thanks to the vision of Chris and his Mercer Management team, you can be sure more lasting memories are in store.”

Fried added: “Whether it is first-class hotels, wedding facilities, athletic venues or car washes, every project Chris puts out to the masses is always meticulously planned and of the highest quality, so we couldn’t be prouder to play a small part in ushering in this new era of Pickleball with Mercer Management.”

The Pickle House is looking to hire professionals to manage the facilities and support members. Applicants can apply at robbinsvillepicklehouse.com.

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