J.M. Smucker Co. is investing $52.6 million to upgrade its manufacturing plant in Buffalo, New York, driven by rising consumer demand for Milk-Bone’s Soft ’N Chewy dog treats, according to local news outlet WBFO. The investment will primarily fund new processing equipment at the 550,000-square-foot facility.
Buffalo was selected for the investment over Smucker’s other plants in Topeka, Kansas, and Decatur, Alabama. The expansion will retain 280 existing jobs while creating at least 17 new positions to support increased production.
As part of the project, Smucker is allocating $10.2 million to expand the plant’s refrigeration section. Renovations are set to begin in May and are expected to be completed by April 2027.
J.M. Smucker is a leading producer, distributor, and marketer of premium pet food and snacks in the U.S., according to Petfood Industry’s Top Pet Food Companies. The company operates processing plants in Decatur, Alabama; Lawrence, Kansas; and Buffalo, New York. Additionally, it runs both a processing plant and a distribution center in Topeka, Kansas, and Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Beyond its own brands, Smucker also produces and distributes private-label pet products and collaborates with 16 co-packers and 12 re-packers across the U.S., Canada, and Thailand.