Beverage Manufacturing
Kalsec
3713 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI 49006, United States
- Manufacturer
- Founded 1958
- Family-owned
- SQF certification
About Kalsec
Kalsec was founded in 1958 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, by Paul H. Todd, Jr., who declared, "We hold nature in awesome respect." The company remains family-owned and began as Vegetone Color Systems, pioneering custom natural color combinations and early use of gas-liquid chromatography for spice extraction. Today Kalsec produces natural food and beverage ingredients across four platforms: natural colors, taste and sensory solutions, food protection, and hop products under the KalHops brand. Its vertically integrated supply chain runs from seed to shelf, supported by a global network of research, finishing, and distribution sites including the Don Berdahl Center for New Technology in Kalamazoo, the SPICE Lab at Wageningen University, and a new Spice Processing Center in Michigan. The company operates analytical labs equipped with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and a patented vacuum fractionation process for hop oils. Kalsec serves the food and beverage industry, with documented applications in beverages, fats and oils, flavors and seasoning blends, meat and poultry, noodles, pickles, plant-based proteins, refrigerated and prepared foods, sauces/dressings/condiments, and snacks. Its customers range from large global brands to craft brewers seeking consistent hop aroma and bitterness. The company's stated purpose is "unlocking the potential of people, nature & science to nourish the world." As a certified B Corp, it emphasizes social and environmental standards alongside its family-ownership model, positioning its vertically integrated supply chain and sensory expertise (Spectrum Method-trained panel) as key differentiators.
Manufacturing capabilities
Core processes
Industries served
- Beverages
- Fats & Oils
- Flavors & Seasoning Blends
- Meat & Poultry
- Noodles
- Pickles
- Plant-Based Proteins
- Refrigerated & Prepared Foods
- Sauces, Dressings & Condiments
- Snacks
Materials
Rosemary · Capsicum · Hops · Spices · Natural colorants
Equipment
- Gas chromatography mass spectrometer
- Vacuum fractionation system
- Don Berdahl Center for New Technology
- SPICE Lab at Wageningen University
- Spice Processing Center (Kalamazoo)
Company details
- Location
- Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Company type
- Manufacturer
- Founded
- 1958
- Ownership
- Family-owned
- Certifications
- SQF certification
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kalsec located?
Kalsec is located at 3713 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI 49006, United States.
What does Kalsec do?
Kalsec is listed under Beverage Manufacturing, and its listed capabilities and products include Natural color formulation and blending, Natural taste and sensory solution development, Natural food protection (antimicrobial/antioxidant systems), Hop extraction and hop product development (KalHops), Analytical testing (qualitative/quantitative, chemometrics, GC-MS, chromatography, rapid oxidation tests) and Application development (dosing, recipe fine-tuning, training).
What industries does Kalsec serve?
Kalsec lists Beverages, Fats & Oils, Flavors & Seasoning Blends, Meat & Poultry and Noodles among the industries it serves.
What certifications does Kalsec have?
Certifications on file for Kalsec: SQF certification.
When was Kalsec founded?
Kalsec was founded in 1958.
How do I request a quote from Kalsec?
Use the Request a quote button on this page to send Kalsec your requirements through FirmsLedger, or call (269) 349-9711 and visit kalsec.com.
What companies are similar to Kalsec?
Other Beverage Manufacturing companies in Michigan listed on FirmsLedger include Michigan Food Processors, FARM Food Processing Accelerator and Food Truck Headquarters USA.