J.M. Smucker Co. is investing $52.6 million to upgrade its Buffalo, New York, U.S.. manufacturing plant, driven by rising consumer demand for Milk-Bone’s Soft ’N Chewy dog treats, local news WBFO reports. The investment will primarily fund new processing equipment at the 550,000-square-foot facility.
According to WBFO, Buffalo was chosen for the investment over Smucker’s other plants in Topeka, Kansas, and Decatur, Alabama. The renovation ensures the retention of 280 existing jobs while adding at least 17 new positions to support increased production.
As part of the expansion, Smucker is allocating $10.2 million to enlarge the plant’s refrigeration section.
The renovations are said to start in May and will be completed by April 2027.
According to Petfood Industry's Top Pet Food Companies, J.M. Smucker is a leading producer, distributor and marketer of premium-quality, branded pet food and pet snacks in the U.S., Smucker runs processing plants in Decatur, Alabama; Lawrence, Kansas; and Buffalo, New York, U.S. Both a processing plant and distribution center are operated at locations in Topeka, Kansas, and Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. In addition to its own brands, Smucker produces and distributes private-label pet products and utilizes 16 co-packers and 12 re-packers in the U.S., Canada and Thailand.
