$1.1 Billion Uncrustables Manufacturing Plant Coming to McCalla

J.M. Smucker Co. announced plans to build a new $1.1 billion manufacturing and distribution facility for Uncrustables sandwiches in McCalla Thursday. This marks the third manufacturing location dedicated just to the Uncrustables brand, following existing facilities in Scottsville, Kentucky, and Longmont, Colorado.

The new facility will be constructed over three phases, and will create up to 750 jobs. Construction of the facility is expected to start by January 2022, with production commencing in calendar year 2025.

“Because The J.M Smucker Co. is one of America’s leading consumer packaged goods companies in the food sector, its decision to make a significant investment in Jefferson County represents a powerful endorsement of Alabama’s inviting business environment,” said Alabama Governor Ivey. “Not only will the Company’s growth project create a large number of jobs in McCalla, but it will also permit us to build a long-standing relationship with a top consumer brand.”

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The new facility will be housed at the JeffMet Industrial Complex. Mark Smucker, President and Chief Executive Officer of the company, said that the frozen handheld sandwiches remain in high demand, with approximate annual net sales of $500 million, demonstrating double-digit net sales growth annually over the past decade.

“Our Smucker’s® Uncrustables® brand continues to be one of the fastest growing in our portfolio and in the food sector more broadly. We are proud of the success the brand 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,” Smucker said.

This new facility, and a completed expansion at the Longmont location, will support the Smucker Co.'s strategy to double its current production capacity. In doing so, the company hopes the Uncrustables brand will come to gross $1 billion in annual net sales in the next five years.

“Smucker’s is a household name, and we are proud they have selected Jefferson County for their next manufacturing facility,” said Commissioner Steve Ammons, chair of the Jefferson County Economic Development Committee. “It’s important for us to recognize the previous Commission and their forethought to add acreage to the Jeffmet Industrial Complex. The McCalla area is hot right now due to useable land availability, interstate access and productive growth potential. We are excited for the continued momentum of job creation for the citizens of Jefferson County and the region as a whole.”

Ron Kitchens, CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance, said this is one of the largest economic development projects to come to Jefferson County in the past several years, both in terms of capital investment and jobs.

“It is a strategic move for Smucker to leverage Birmingham’s strong distribution and logistics network, central location in the Southeast and a shovel-ready site to seize an opportunity for one of its fastest-growing brands,” Kitchens said. “We are very excited to welcome them to Birmingham and Jefferson County and thank them for bringing jobs to our community that will change lives for the better.”