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Wells Enterprises Boosts Dunkirk, New York, Expansion to $425 Million Investment

July 24, 2024

Expansion of project will allow facility to produce more than four times its current production output.

Wells Enterprises announced in August 2023 that it would expand its Dunkirk, N.Y., ice cream plant — but the company recently upped the ante in a significant way. During a celebration of the expansion project July 23, 2024, Wells announced it has increased the expansion from a $250 million investment to a $425 million capital spend that will create 270 new jobs in the community.

Wells Enterprises has begun construction on its Dunkirk, N.Y., ice cream plant expansion.

The expansion project by the Le Mars, Iowa-based, independent operating company of Ferrero Group is expected to more than quadruple the Dunkirk plant’s current production and position it for more growth in novelty and packaged ice cream.

Wells Enterprises produces such brands as Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop and Blue Ribbon Classics at four facilities, including the plant in Dunkirk, two in Le Mars and one in Henderson, Nev.

Construction on the Dunkirk expansion has already begun, and the company announced that it expects ice cream products to roll off new lines in August 2025. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul attended the celebration, and afterword, her office shared further details on the facility along with photos and videos of the event and the site.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.