U.S. food and beverage processors will invest an estimated $6.5 billion their manufacturing and distribution assets during the next two years according toIndustrial Info Resources(IIR), Sugar Land, Texas. IIR said it identified 428 active food and beverage projects with scheduled construction kickoff dates beginning this month and into 2011.

In other news, IIR reported thatH.J. Heinzappears close to commissioning its new frozen entree plant near Florence, S.C.