Governor Hochul Celebrates Wells Enterprises’ Significantly Expanded $425 Million Investment at its Dunkirk Ice Cream Manufacturing Facility (2024)

Governor Kathy Hochul today, joined by company leadership, employees and community stakeholders, announced that Wells Enterprises is significantly expanding its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Dunkirk. The now $425 million project will increase capacity of its current ice cream production, create new capabilities for future innovation, and add a first-of-its-kind chocolate manufacturing facility within the plant to use for ingredients in its ice cream and novelty products. This investment will enable the company to add 270 new jobs and retain approximately 380 full-time jobs. It will be one of the largest single private investments ever made in Chautauqua County. New York State is supporting the project with up to $12 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits and a $6 million grant from Empire State Development in exchange for job creation and capital investment commitments. The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency is also working with the management team of Wells to provide support that will expedite the project.

“We are building momentum in Chautauqua County’s manufacturing sector, with multiple companies growing and creating hundreds of new jobs in Dunkirk and the region,” Governor Hochul said. “The expansion of the Wells Enterprises is an important win, and we're transforming a struggling plant into a high-tech facility that will benefit New York workers, local business partners, and the region’s hard-working dairy farmers."

Wells Enterprises CEO Liam Killeen said, “We couldn’t be more excited about the future of Wells and the role this expansion in Dunkirk will play in our ambition to be the U.S. ice cream category leader. We are extremely grateful to the State of New York, Chautauqua County, and the community of Dunkirk for their unwavering support of our growth. Most importantly, this is testament to the leadership and commitment of every one of our team members in Dunkirk. Their passion, drive, and excellence in operations are truly what makes this possible.”

The new Dunkirk facility will be about 350,000 square feet, more than doubling its current footprint. The facility’s production capabilities are expected to increase output to more than four times their current production to support the company’s growth in novelty and packaged ice cream. The newly announced expansion plans include all new production lines, more than doubling the number of manufacturing lines with high-output capabilities, creating new innovation capabilities, a new chocolate ingredient manufacturing facility, and best-in-class breakrooms, offices, and facilities designed to provide the best working environment for their team. Construction has already begun on the new facility. Wells is continuing to manufacture ice cream products in the existing facility while construction is underway.

The company’s growth will also benefit the dairy industry in the northeast. The planned expansion will continue to utilize millions of pounds of dairy annually. That number is expected to grow along with the overall consumption of ice cream. Fortune Business Insights estimates the global ice cream market will reach $132.32 billion in 2032, up from $76.11 billion in 2023 and reflecting the overall increase in the world’s craving for ice cream.

New York State has nearly 3,000 dairy farms that produce over 15 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the nation's fifth largest dairy state. Additionally, New York ranks 4th nationally in ice cream manufacturing with 51 payrolled business locations ranking the state 3rd in ice cream production in the nation.

Last year the Ferrero Group, a global leader in sweet, packaged foods with leading brands like Nutella, Tic Tac, Ferrero Rocher and others, acquired Wells Enterprises, Inc. Wells is the largest privately held ice cream manufacturer in the United States. Founded in 1913 by Fred H. Wells and run by the Wells family for generations, the company is now an independent operating company of the Ferrero Group.  Wells produces more than 200 million gallons of ice cream per year and distributes products in all 50 states. Wells employs over 4,000 employees across the country. The company is headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, and operates multiple manufacturing plants, including the Dunkirk facility, located at 1 Ice Cream Drive. These facilities play an important role in the company’s expansion plans for its national manufacturing network of its Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop and Blue Ribbon Classics brands.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “An excellent expansion deal at the Wells ice cream plant has just gotten sweeter, with an additional $175 million investment from the company. Food manufacturing is an important part of New York State’s recipe for economic success and a skilled workforce is the key ingredient. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, public-private partnerships are generating the jobs of the future in Chautauqua County and all across the State.”

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “This expansion is great news for the hundreds of dairy farmers that supply fresh, local milk for the Wells Enterprises ice cream plant, and for Wells Enterprises itself, which has a long-standing tradition of producing some of New York’s finest dairy products. This will not only help to solidify Wells’ future in Western New York but will also ensure New York State remains a leader in the dairy industry for years to come. I look forward to seeing this project come to fruition.”

State Senator George Borrello said, “The decision by Wells Enterprises to expand the scope of their new manufacturing facility in Dunkirk is tremendously exciting. It is a sign of their confidence in our local workforce, award-winning dairy suppliers and strong state and local partners. Those resources will continue to be integral as Wells innovates and strives to reach new goals. My thanks go out to Governor Hochul, Empire State Development and Chautauqua County leaders for the partnership and commitment that made this latest success possible.”

Assemblymember Andy Goodell said, “Wells Enterprises' expansion is great news for Chautauqua County. Wells has quality products, is a great employer and is an important economic pillar for the surrounding area. Many thanks to Wells Enterprises for your continued investment in our community.”

Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz said, “We are thrilled with Wells Enterprises' monumental investment of $425 million in the City of Dunkirk and northern Chautauqua County. This expansion not only signifies their commitment to the community but also promises a brighter future by creating 270 new jobs. Together, we will pave the way for economic growth and prosperity, ensuring that Dunkirk and Chautauqua County continue to thrive and shine."

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel said, “Today marks a monumental day for Chautauqua County as Wells Enterprises significantly expands their investment in Dunkirk. Wells Enterprises' commitment to our community's prosperity is truly commendable, and we are proud to support this transformative project. This expansion goes beyond ice cream production; it represents a promising future for Dunkirk and Chautauqua County. We are grateful for Wells and the Ferrero Group's dedication to our region, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency and the State of New York for their invaluable funding and support in making this project possible. We look forward to celebrating this sweet success together.”

CCIDA CEO Mark Geise said, “I am proud of the prior support the CCIDA was able to provide to Wells Enterprises to help make the two previous phases a reality for this exciting project. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the company and working with management in the coming weeks and months to provide new assistance for the additional expansion plan, to ensure it will come to fruition and provide additional jobs for the city of Dunkirk and Chautauqua County."

The ice cream plant will also continue to utilize Americold’s new cold-storage distribution facility located in the Town of Dunkirk, which is providing much-needed storage for the food supply chain in the area. Americold’s $41 million project was supported by up to $700,000 in performance-based taxed credits through the Excelsior Jobs Program in return for the creation of 60 full-time jobs.

Additional information about the Ferrero Group, Wells Enterprises, and Wells Enterprises B-Roll video.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the New York State Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.

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