MCCALLA, Ala. — The J.M. Smucker Co. celebrated the grand opening of its new $1.1 billion Uncrustables manufacturing facility in McCalla, Alabama, today, marking a major expansion for the brand and a transformative moment for the Birmingham region. As the largest plant of its kind globally, this facility will specialize in producing Smucker’s popular frozen Uncrustables sandwiches, a staple in school lunches and snack aisles nationwide.
The McCalla facility, located just outside Birmingham in the JeffMet Industrial Complex, is expected to employ around 750 workers, providing a significant economic boost for Jefferson County. Smucker’s officials said the plant will support roles in production, logistics, quality control, and management, helping the company meet rising demand for Uncrustables. The brand has experienced rapid growth in recent years, and this new facility is critical to Smucker’s goal of reaching $1 billion in annual sales for the product within the next five years.
“This is a milestone not only for our company but for the community here in Alabama,” said Mark Smucker, CEO of The J.M. Smucker Co. “We’re proud to make our biggest investment here, knowing that Birmingham’s workforce and logistics network will help us bring Uncrustables to more consumers across the country.”
State and local officials praised the opening as a sign of Alabama’s growing role in advanced food manufacturing and logistics. Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Ammons highlighted the plant’s importance to the region, calling it “a game-changer” for job creation and economic growth. The project, first announced in 2021, reflects Alabama’s appeal to major corporations seeking strategic locations with strong distribution networks.
The facility is set on a 225-acre site, with room for further expansion as Smucker’s Uncrustables line continues to grow in popularity. As one of the largest economic development projects in Alabama’s recent history, the McCalla plant is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing Jefferson County’s industrial landscape and supporting the local economy for years to come .