Orrville, Ohio, USA-headquartered J.M. Smucker Co. has announced plans to spend $1.1 billion to build a new Smucker’s Uncrustables sandwiches factory and distribution center in McCalla, Alabama. Construction of the facility is expected to begin by no later than January 2022, with manufacturing starting in calendar year 2025.
The Alabama plant will mark the third manufacturing location dedicated to the Uncrustables brand, joining existing factories in Scottsville, Kentucky, and Longmont, Colorado. This new facility, and a completed expansion at the Longmont location, will support the company’s strategy to more than double current production capacity of the thaw-and-eat frozen softbread sandwich range, which features Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam, Peanut Butter & Grape Jelly, and Chocolate Flavored Hazelnut Spread fillings.
Ongoing demand for the sealed crustless handheld sandwich line has driven the brand’s growth to approximately $500 million in annual net sales, demonstrating double-digit net sales expansion annually over the past decade. With increased production capacity, it is anticipated that brand sales will increase over the next five years to approximately $1 billion per annum.
“Smucker’s Uncrustables continues to be one of the fastest growing brands in our portfolio and in the food sector more broadly. We are proud of the success it has achieved, due in no small part to the tremendous efforts of our employees, and we’re excited to take advantage of the opportunities and growth our investments will enable,” said President and CEO Mark Smucker. ”We appreciate the support we have received from the State of Alabama and Jefferson County officials, and we look forward to being a part of the greater Birmingham community.”
Construction of the facility and production will occur in three phases over multiple years, creating up to 750 jobs. Financial investments and job creation will align with each of the three phases and are contingent on the approval of tax and business incentives and the closing of the transaction to purchase the property where the facility will be located.
“Smucker’s is a household name, and we are proud they have selected Jefferson County for their next manufacturing facility,” said Commissioner Steve Ammons, chairman of the Jefferson County Economic Development Committee. “The McCalla area is hot right now due to useable land availability, interstate access and productive growth potential.”
