Area Development
France-based food company Charles & Alice Group opened the company’s first processing site in the United States in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where it plans to create at least 50 new jobs during the next three years.

The company leased a 55,000-square-foot site in East Hempfield Township, with plans to invest more than $10 million in leasehold improvements, new machinery and equipment. Charles & Alice will also work with Lancaster-based distributor, Hess Brother’s Fruit Company as their apple supplier for their products.

One of the leading manufacturers of apple sauce in Europe, the company specializes in ready-to-eat, healthy food products such as squeezable apple sauce pouches. In 2000, Charles & Alice launched in France the first range of apple sauces with no added sugar, developing an unequaled expertise in bringing healthy and tasty food to consumers. The company has been exporting to the U.S. market since 2008.

“The Corbett administration is committed to growing our commonwealth’s manufacturing industry to build a stronger Pennsylvania,” said Department of Agriculture Secretary George Greig. “Governor Corbett met with Charles & Alice in France and sold them on the strong manufacturing climate we have built in Pennsylvania. As a direct result of that meeting, I’m thrilled that Charles & Alice now calls Lancaster County home and is creating new jobs for Pennsylvanians.”

The project was coordinated by DCED’s Office of International Business Development in collaboration with the Governor’s Action Team, Lancaster County Economic Development Corporation, PA Department of Agriculture and the Team Pennsylvania Foundation.