Danisco recently opened its new North America headquarters and innovation facility in New Century, Kansas. The ribbon-cutting ceremony drew customers from around the country and included sensory demonstrations presented at each of the application pilot plants in the new facility. Measuring more than 240,000 square feet, the facility will house offices for North American management, sales and marketing, customer care, administration, innovation, logistics, finance, regulatory, human resources, information systems and customer service. It also boasts a culinary kitchen and innovation labs for fats and oils, food protection and analytical testing, fruit preparation and confectionary, culinary and meat, bakery, dairy and beverage as well as with a full-scale pilot plant.

Cargill opened its first North American maltitol plant at the company’s corn milling biorefinery campus in Blair, Neb. The company says the new facility will provide innovative sweetness solutions. “We made our first footprint in the North American polyol industry two years ago with the re-opening of the erythritol plant in Blair,” said Per Ole Jensen, global business director, polyols.  “Expanding our manufacturing capabilities to offer maltitol further demonstrates our commitment to the worldwide polyol business and establishes our position as a global leader in this ingredient category.”

D.D. Williamson, Louisville, Ky., has named Kevin Folkes vice president of global sales.

Flavor and fragrance-maker Mastertaste Inc. has appointed Chris Long general manager of its sweet flavors team in Commerce, Calif. Long will oversee all aspects of the West Coast operation, including sales, finance, R&D, customer service and production.  

Mauricio Graber has been appointed as global head of the flavors division at Givaudan. He succeeds Mike Davis, who plans to retire this summer.  

The Solae Co., St. Louis, has named Thomas Damiano to lead the organization’s global food platform strategy. He previously served as vice president of commercial development at Degussa AG’s food ingredient business.

David E. Henke has joined Florida Food Products, overseeing marketing and sales of value-added water-soluble fruit and vegetable ingredients manufactured by FFP.