Shearer’s Foods starts second phase of plant expansion

Shearer’s Foods is ready to start the second phase of its Massillon expansion project.

The snack maker has begun a 52,000-square-foot addition to its new facility on the 30-acre site at the Northeast Ohio Commerce Park. The $27 million investment includes $12 million for construction and $15 million for equipment.

The first phase, which was completed earlier this year, is a 70,000-square-foot production facility for tortilla and multi-grain chips. The latest expansion will be comprised of a 40,000-square-foot-production space and a 12,000-square-foot warehouse.

The equipment will include eight kettle lines, one continuous frying line and 13 packing machines.

The company has yet to reach full capacity in the first phase. It is installing the production line for multigrain chips and still has room for a couple of more lines.

The second phase is scheduled to be in production by the end of January 2011. Like the first phase, the facility will meet Leadership in Energy and Environment Design platinum-certified standards, according to the tax abatement applications filed with the city.

The expansion will result in an initial 31 new, full-time jobs with a payroll of $1 million. Though there is a promise for 31 new full-time jobs, Melissa Shearer, Vice President of Communication,  said there will be several more added over time.

“That will depend on when it’s fully cranked up and how many shifts,” she said.

Shearer’s, a branded, contract pack and private label seasoned snack foods producer, is crediting its growth to the acquisition of Snack Alliance and its Canadian affiliate in March.

Shearer's posts on their website regular updates on the plant construction