US-based Rich Products will invest $27m to expand production at a manufacturing facility in Tennessee.

The project at the site in Morristown will create 51 new manufacturing jobs, bringing the number of employees working for the company in the state to 1,400.

Rich Products is aiming to increase output at the bakery, with an emphasis on cake and cupcake production.

“The expansion of Rich’s Morristown facility will add 2,400 square feet of space, which will directly support enhanced production of its growing bakery business, serving national and regional grocery and club retailers,” the company said in a statement.

Construction is expected to be completed in September with hiring starting in June.

Kevin Spratt, the president of Rich Products’ business in the US and Canada, said: “Not only are we expanding our team and creating jobs but we’re adding production capacity to support our cake and cupcake business, which has seen a significant influx in demand. It is a true win-win for the community, our customers and consumers as a whole.”

According to Rich Products, it has a “strong footprint across Tennessee”, operating a network of manufacturing facilities, including two plants in Morristown, which employ 650 people. 

The Buffalo, New York-headquartered food producer was founded in 1945 and operates across more than 100 countries. It employs approximately 13,000 people around the world.

Rich Products operates in several categories such as pizzas, icing and sweet starters, drinks, desserts and bakery products.

Its portfolio includes brands such as Bettercreme, On Top, Versatile and Ice Hot.

In February last year, the privately-owned manufacturer expanded a factory in Brownsville, Texas.

Spratt said at the time that the move added “over 150,000 square feet of space to [the] facility to support the production of appetiser products”, with Rich Products spending more than US$100m at the facility.