Beyond Meat, Inc., El Segundo, Calif., expanded its partnership with Zandbergen World’s Finest Meat, The Netherlands, to produce the brand’s plant-based meats at a new manufacturing facility being constructed in Zoeterwoude, the Netherlands. Upon completion of the facility, which is expected in the first quarter of 2020, the manufacturing partnership will mark Beyond Meat’s first production capability outside the United States. Localized production is expected to reduce the brand’s transportation footprint, while increasing the speed in which Beyond Meat can get products to customers across Europe.

“The consumer response in Europe has been very positive, and we look forward to being able to better serve those customers with locally produced products. We are pleased to have strong strategic partners in Europe like Zandbergen to help us grow our global footprint,” says Seth Goldman, executive chairman of Beyond Meat.

Last year, Zandbergen World’s Finest Meat started distributing Beyond Meat’s products across foodservice and retail channels throughout Europe.

“As the demand for plant-based products continues to expand in Europe, we are thrilled to be partnering with Beyond Meat to produce their innovative products outside the U.S.,” says Adriaan Figee, chief commercial officer of Zandbergen World’s Finest Meat.