Area Development
Shank’s Extracts, a specialty ingredient, flavors and botanical extracts company, will expand operations at its headquarters in East Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. The $30.5 million project is expected to create 83 jobs in Lancaster County within the next three years.

The investment will include additional liquid and dry manufacturing, packaging, and refrigerated storage as well as installation of other manufacturing capabilities.

“The expansion of our facilities at Shank’s Extracts will enable us to enhance and expand the product offerings of our plant-based ingredients platform,” said George C. Freeman, III, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation. “Through this platform, we provide a variety of value-added manufacturing processes to produce high-quality, specialty vegetable-and fruit-based ingredients, and we appreciate the support and partnership of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in this endeavor.”

As an incentive Shank’s Extracts received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development for a $332,000 Pennsylvania First grant and a $166,000 workforce development grant to train workers.

“Shank’s Extracts has a long and impressive history in Lancaster County, and DCED is proud to have worked with the company to ensure they continue to grow right here in Pennsylvania,” noted Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger. “The Commonwealth has a lot to offer to food manufacturers, from our strategic location, to our abundant natural resources, to our dedicated and skilled workforce. Governor Shapiro’s budget includes a proposed $12 million increase for the Pennsylvania First Program, which will help us to invest in more expansion projects like this one.”

Shank’s Extracts, a top producer of vanilla extract in the U.S., produces and distributes more than 2,400 products, including flavors, emulsions, botanical extracts, colors, and sauces for retail and food industry customers globally. Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV), a global business-to-business agri-products supplier to consumer product manufacturers, purchased Shank’s Extracts in October 2021.

We are thrilled to celebrate the expansion of Shank’s Extracts, a company with long and deep roots in Lancaster County,” added John Biemiller, Director of Business Retention & Expansion for the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County. “This growth underscores the high quality of their products and their commitment to invest in their people, their equipment and their community.”