CHELSEA, MICHIGAN, U.S. — Chelsea Milling Co., maker of Jiffy Mix baking mixes, is moving ahead with plans to spend $35 million as part of an expansion that includes the addition of a new mixing tower, according to an article in The Ann Arbor News.

Plans for the expansion first surfaced in June 2013, when Chelsea Milling received preliminary approval from the city of Chelsea’s planning commission to add space to handle larger bags and boxes of Jiffy Mix products. At that time, Howdy Holmes, chief executive officer (CEO) of Chelsea Milling, said the expansion reflected the company’s move to build its presence in the food service and institutional markets.

According to The Ann Arbor News, the new mixing tower will allow Chelsea Milling to increase production of its Jiffy baking mixes to more than 350 million lbs per month, up from 120 million lbs per month currently. The new equipment will be more automated and will allow more production with fewer employees, Holmes said.

While the company’s workforce will decline to about 240 employees from 315, Holmes told newspaper the reduction will be done without layoffs. He said about half of the company’s workers are approaching retirement age, and once they retire the old jobs won’t be filled.

In addition to a new mixing tower, the $35 million expansion includes a new packaging facility and an additional support building, the company said.

Chelsea Milling Co. was established in 1901 as a traditional flour mill. By early 1930, the company had expanded into the retail prepared baking mix market with its first Jiffy Mix product. Today, Jiffy is the market share leader in retail prepared muffin mixes. In addition to its retail products, Chelsea Milling produces mixes for the food service and institutional markets.