Leclerc buys second production facility in Kingsport, US

Canadian snack manufacturer Leclerc has acquired a second 110,000ft² facility in Kingsport, Tennessee, US.

The company established its first Kingsport plant in 2010.

Financial details of the acquisition have not been revealed by the company.

Leclerc Group president Denis Leclerc said: "This acquisition fits our business vision and development strategy. The facility will only produce certified gluten-free products to meet special customer needs."

The company further added that its new acquired facility will be used for making gluten-free bars and accelerate its Biscuit Leclerc's development.

Leclerc noted that it will be investing approximately $50m over the next five years in this new facility, which will generate nearly 100 jobs over the next three years.

The company anticipates that the acquisition would enable it to boost sales from nearly $440m last year to $525m by the end of this year.

Last year, the company also invested in its other plants, including its François Leclerc Industrial Park facilities in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, which created more than 100 jobs.

The company also expanded its existing plant in Hawkesbury, Ontario, by 80,000ft² and hired 20 additional employees.

Leclerc noted: "We have put together a team to look into the matter and design the best possible environmental plan for both our Canadian and US facilities. We want to do our part and commit to sustainable development in order to minimise our ecological footprint."

Established in 1905 by François Leclerc, the company has seven plants in Canada and the US.