SUMTER — Oh, how sweet it is.
Friday, after more than a year of anticipation, the wrapping will be taken off one of Sumter County’s newest manufacturing facilities, bringing with it new jobs and millions in investments during the next few years.
China-based candy maker Au’some LLC announced last January that it would open its first and only North American manufacturing plant in Sumter.
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The manufacturer makes and distributes novelty candies throughout North America and other countries. The company’s products, including Florida Natural fruit snacks, already can be found in stores like Walmart.
An incentive offered to the company guaranteed 120 new jobs and $6 million in investments during the next five years. But last week, plant manager Curt Compher said he expects to exceed both those figures.
“We’re already talking about expansion and phase two,” Compher said. “The demand we have is already growing. Our initial figure for jobs and output will be higher than anticipated.”
There are currently 20 employees working at the facility — all from Sumter — with another five scheduled to be brought on soon. The facility is estimated to produce about 1.5 million pounds of candy in its first year.
Last Thursday, about half of the facility’s employees, including Robert Mitscher, were being taught how to use the equipment by Au’some representatives from China.
Mitscher worked for Best Lumber & Millwork for nine years before the plant closed. After being unemployed for seven months, he jumped at the chance to work for the candy maker.
“I had worked in a warehouse before, so it was nothing new to me,” he said. “It’s a new experience learning how to use all this stuff, but you pick up on it pretty quickly and learn through repetition. I feel blessed and fortunate that I’m able to help pave the way for the company.”
That’s the kind of spirit Compher said he’s looking for in future hires.
He’s received more than 100 resumes from prospective employees and said he plans to fill as many future positions with local residents as possible.
Before coming to Sumter, Compher spent 10 years working in Canada. He said he’s met more people since he arrived here last May than he did the decade spent in Canada.
“It’s been a really positive experience. There’s such great hospitality, some really great people, and that’s what we want in our employees,” he said.
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