Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with The J.M. Smucker Company announced the company’s decision to convert its existing Memphis production facility to a peanut butter manufacturing plant, resulting in the investment of $55.6 million by the company. Smucker expects to have a workforce of 125 employees in Memphis upon completion of the project in 2014.
“I want to thank Smucker for this investment in the Memphis community,” Haslam said. “With our Jobs4TN strategy, we have placed special emphasis on helping existing Tennessee businesses in their efforts to grow, and this announcement is another step toward our goal of becoming No. 1 in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
“The J.M. Smucker Company has played a key role in the corporate landscape of Memphis since 1969, and we are happy to hear the company will refit its existing facility to meet its evolving needs in an ever-changing world economy,” Hagerty said. “As a renowned transportation and logistics hub, Memphis offers global companies like Smucker the ability to manufacture and distribute its products efficiently and effectively. We are pleased to know that Tennessee and its workforce will continue to play an important role in the company’s future plans and successes.”
“We considered a number of strategic alternatives for how best to support the long-term growth of our peanut butter business,” said Maribeth Badertscher, vice president of Corporate Communications for The J.M. Smucker Company. “By investing in Memphis, we can leverage our existing facilities, infrastructure and highly skilled workforce to operate a state-of-the-art peanut butter facility in support of our peanut butter brands.”
Smucker previously announced it would cease all operations of its existing fruit spreads manufacturing facility. The new operation, also located at 4740 Burbank Road, will be fitted with new equipment to produce peanut butter and include a rail spur and customized manufacturing lines.
Smucker is a leading marketer and manufacturer of fruit spreads, retail packaged coffee, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, sweetened condensed milk, and health and natural foods beverages in North America.
“For more than a year the City, County, State and EDGE have been working with Smucker to find an alternative to closing the plant,” City of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton, Jr. said. “We appreciate the company's confidence in Memphis and the jobs, income and tax revenues that will now flow as a result of our collective effort.”
“Having a Fortune 500 firm with the reputation of Smucker recommit to our community is testimony not only to our strengths in manufacturing and distribution, but also to our tenacity in the face of adversity,” Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. said. “We appreciate the company's willingness to work with us to find a new life for its Memphis plant.”
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tn.gov/ecd. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
About The J. M. Smucker Company
For more than 110 years, The J. M. Smucker Company has been committed to offering consumers quality products that bring families together to share memorable meals and moments. Today, Smucker is a leading marketer and manufacturer of fruit spreads, retail packaged coffee, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, sweetened condensed milk, and health and natural foods beverages in North America. Its family of brands includes Smucker's®, Folgers®, Dunkin' Donuts®, Jif®, Crisco®, Pillsbury®, Eagle Brand®, R.W. Knudsen Family®, Hungry Jack®, Cafe Bustelo®, Cafe Pilon®, White Lily® and Martha White® in the United States, along with Robin Hood®, Five Roses®, Carnation® and Bick's® in Canada. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago. For more information about the Company, visit www.smuckers.com.