Expansion Management

J.M. Smucker’s Expansion in Kentucky Saves 280 Jobs

Feb. 24, 2013

Company will invest $43 million in plant and keep Jif peanut butter home.

To meet increased demand The J.M Smucker Co. (IW1000/708) company announced last week that it will upgrade machinery and equipment at its plant in Lexington, Kentucky.

The plant, which manufactures the Jif brand of peanut butter, has 279 employees at this location and thus retains those jobs.

“The J.M. Smucker Company is proud to be a part of the Lexington community and we are excited to know that the investments being made at our peanut butter operations will be a major factor in the continued growth and success of our Jif brand,” said Richard Smucker, CEO, The J.M. Smucker Company. “We greatly appreciate the continued support of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the city of Lexington, and are thankful for their contributions toward this critical project.”

To encourage the investment in Lexington, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Smucker for tax incentives up to $2 million through the Kentucky Reinvestment Act (KRA). KRA is designed to assist companies that need to make significant capital investment in Kentucky facilities in order to remain competitive.

“We believe the Jif brand and Lexington go together like peanut butter and jelly!” said Lexington Vice Mayor Linda Gorton

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.