One of the leading food companies, J.M. Smucker, is set to invest $120 million in expanding its Hostess manufacturing plant located in Columbus, Georgia. This significant investment will involve the construction of a new building, renovation of existing areas, and acquisition of new equipment. According to Pace Halter, the chairman of Choose Columbus, the city’s economic development group, this expansion project is already underway and is expected to be completed by early 2027, creating at least 48 new jobs in the process.
Expressing his excitement about the expansion, Beaux Williamson, the facility manager for J.M. Smucker, stated, “We are pleased to have this opportunity to expand production at our Columbus, Georgia, manufacturing facility to continue to meet the needs of our consumers.” The acquisition of Hostess by Smucker two years ago for $5.6 billion has been instrumental in strengthening the company’s presence in indulgent snacking and enhancing consumer convenience.
However, challenges such as inflation, economic uncertainty, and changes in consumer behavior have impacted the Hostess brand. To address these issues, Smucker has taken steps to optimize the brand’s performance, including reducing SKUs by 25% to streamline operations and drive growth.
Like many other companies in the food and beverage industry, Smucker has been strategically managing its production facilities to meet market demands and enhance supply chain efficiency. Recent initiatives include the closure and sale of a Hostess manufacturing plant in Indianapolis and the opening of a new plant dedicated to manufacturing the popular Uncrustables brand.