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J.M. Smucker Company Invests $55.6 Million To Convert Its Memphis, Tennessee Production Facility

02/20/2013
The J.M. Smucker Company will invest $55.6 million to convert its existing Memphis, Tenn., production facility to a peanut butter manufacturing plant. The firm expects to have a workforce of 125 employees upon completion of the project in 2014.

“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.” 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.

“I want to thank Smucker for this investment in the Memphis community,” Gov. Bill 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,” Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty. “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.”

“For more than a year the City, County, State and EDGE have been working with Smucker to find an alternative to closing the plant,” 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.”

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