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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Stuffed Puffs Expands Production in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania

11/13/2019
Stuffed Puffs, a confectionery manufacturer and food processor, will grow its manufacturing operations with its expansion to a 150,000-square-foot building in Hanover Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. The project will support the creation of 134 new, full-time jobs in the commonwealth.

The company will be located at the former Guardian Life property owned by JG Petrucci to manufacture chocolate stuffed marshmallows and plans to make significant improvements to the property.

Stuffed Puffs will begin manufacturing operations in May 2020 and has committed to investing $31.5 million in capital funding toward the project and creating 134 jobs within three years.

“The idea was born around a campfire,” said Michael Tierney, Founder of Stuffed Puffs, who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY in 2010. “It’s a simple idea, but very hard to execute, which is why it hasn’t been done before. I spent seven years figuring out a truly innovative system that breaks the rules of traditional candy making, our new plant will help this amazing product continue to grow and support our company and community.”

The company uses a custom designed and highly secretive manufacturing process to make a chocolate-filled marshmallow. The company also has the ability to make multiple shapes and flavors of marshmallows with various fillings. Stuffed Puffs initially launched its product exclusively at Walmart stores and will be expanding to other retailers in 2020.

“Stuffed Puffs is the easy new way to make a good old-fashioned American favorite S’mores even better and it’s delicious to eat right out of the bag,” said Richard Thompson, Managing Partner at Factory LLC, the parent company of Stuffed Puffs. “At Factory LLC we seek innovation and we know Stuffed Puffs is a big winner and the new plant will support our continued growth, because we can’t make it fast enough.”

As an incentive, Stuffed Puffs received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $670,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $268,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits, and $140,400 in grants for workforce training and development. The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.

“The decision of Stuffed Puffs to expand its production operations to the Lehigh Valley is an example of the region becoming a national leader in food and beverage innovation and production,” said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC). “Since coming to Factory to accelerate its growth, Stuffed Puffs has realized the advantages of making its product in the Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania with the available talent, educational institutions, and access to market. The combined efforts of the state, Northampton County and the City of Bethlehem, and the benefit of Factory LLC being here, is a best practice example of how to grow U.S. manufacturing.”

“Food processing is one of Pennsylvania’s most robust and vibrant industries, supporting thousands of jobs and generating more than $5 billion in sales annually,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “It is only fitting that a new, innovative food company would make the commonwealth its new home, and we are proud to make the investment that will turn that plan into reality.”

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