Flowers Foods expects to invest about $40 million in the bakery throughout the next three years. Renovations on the facility started in October, and the first production line will be operable by mid-2006. The company plans to add a second production line at a later date.

George Deese, Flowers Foods' president and chief executive officer, said the Newton facility is strategically located and will help relieve production pressure in the territory. "Another benefit is that the facility we acquired is well suited to house a bakery with long, highly efficient production lines," Deese said.