Smucker’s Expands its Legacy in Ohio

 The Challenge

For more than a century, Smucker’s has been making loved products found in kitchens across the country. The brand name has become synonymous with household favorites, including jams, jellies, ice cream toppings, and more. Smucker’s has continued to be a leader in its category since the company began selling apple butter from a horse-drawn wagon in 1897, and its need to innovate has never stopped.

In order to continue to bring new and innovative products to consumers, Smucker’s was in need of a new research and development (R&D) facility to support the momentum of its Uncrustables® brand, which had achieved $500 million in annual sales a year ahead of projections. The company expected Uncrustables® to deliver $1 billion in annual sales by fiscal year 2026.

The Solution

The construction of a new, cutting-edge R&D facility in Orrville advanced product development for Smucker’s, bolstered the effort to identify new growth opportunities, and deepened its commitment to northeast Ohio, a community in which it has thrived for more than 128 years.

Key factors in Smucker’s decision to expand in Ohio included:

• Building on the powerful ecosystem of companies that already exists in Ohio, a state recognized as a standout leader in research and innovation in the food industry
• Supply chain advantages for agribusiness companies, thanks to their close proximity to one another
• Ohio’s centralized location serves as an ideal hub for transporting goods around the globe and throughout much of the U.S. and Canada
• Ohio’s business-friendly tax laws
• Access to a pipeline of highly trained workers

The Results

• Jobs Created: 35
• Total Payroll: $2 million
• Total Investment: $13 million
• Economic Impact: The presence of Smucker’s (a campus that includes both its corporate headquarters and a manufacturing facility) is not only hugely impactful to the Orrville community and Wayne County, but it has a significant economic effect for the Northeast Ohio region and the entire state.
• Strategic Advantage: Ohio ranks among the top  10 locations for food processing . Smucker’s leveraged its robust network of existing connections, which included state and local leaders, as well as the established infrastructure surrounding its headquarters. This allowed the company to address the needs of its growing business more easily and effectively.

“Smucker’s has been part of the fabric of Ohio for more than a century. From selling apple butter on a horse-drawn wagon in 1897 to laying the groundwork for a new research and development facility in 2022, we’re grateful that the Smucker’s legacy will continue to grow in Ohio.”

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine