J.M. Smucker to expand facility in New York

The Ohio-headquartered firm will expand its Buffalo, New York, facility after it posted sales growth in Q3 of its 2025 financial year. Big Heart Pet Brands, a Smucker subsidiary that manufactures pet food like Milk-Bone in Buffalo, will get new machinery and storage space.

The project will also include the creation of a nearly 900 sq ft meat storage freezer. The investment aims to boost production capacity by 20,000 tons and create 17 jobs.

Local media reported that the investment would boost Milk-Bone’s “Soft & Chewy” product line. Renovations are scheduled to begin in May and conclude by April 2027.

Big Heart will also receive a hydroelectric power allowance from the state to support the investment.

Growth last quarter

Smucker’s latest earnings report for Q3 2025, which ended on January 31, touted “strong double-digit” net sales for Milk-Bone’s Soft & Chewy snack line during the quarter, despite an overall softening in the sector. The quarter results showed a 9% year-on-year decrease in retail pet food net sales, but Milk-Bone was a bright star for the company.

“We remain confident in our portfolio as we continue to focus on driving growth for the Milk-Bone brand, with its strong leadership position in the category,” the report says.

The company’s pet brand experienced supply chain disruptions thanks to a 7-week worker strike at the Buffalo plant, which was resolved in December. However, it’s unclear if the Soft & Chewy line was directly impacted.