More Candy! Perfetti Van Melle Expanding In Erlanger

By Mike Perleberg (Erlanger, Ky.) – It’s a pretty sweet deal when a candy manufacturing plant expands. Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin's office announced yesterday that Perfetti van Melle USA is planning an $11 million expansion of its plant on Turfway Road in Erlanger. Perfetti van Melle currently employs about 300 people at its plant which first opened in 1984. The expansion is expected to create about 70 new, full-time jobs. “This announcement of new jobs and investment at Perfetti van Melle in Boone County is great news for the company, the northern Kentucky region and the Commonwealth as a whole,” Bevin said. “PVM continues to distinguish itself as an important global player and as a key member of Kentucky’s food and beverage industry. We’re pleased to see the company’s continued commitment to the community, and we congratulate them on their ongoing success.” The company manufactures candy including Airheads and Mentos. Sales have seen double-digit increases the past four years and the expansion will support that and future demand by increasing manufacturing and packaging capacity by nearly 50 percent, according to the governor’s office. “We are excited to be expanding our Erlanger production capabilities, and equally excited about adding to the job growth of the northern Kentucky area,” said Perfetti van Melle CEO Mehmet Yuksek. “Perfetti van Melle continues to be a growth leader in the non-chocolate, mint and gum category of the confectionery industry. While we are certainly pleased about this good news for our company, we’re equally pleased that our success contributes to our region’s growth.” The Kentucky Finance Authority has given preliminary approval for up to $500,000 in tax incentives for the company through the Kentucky Business Investment program, depending on how PVM does in meeting jobs and investment targets. The company will also receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network, providing no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. Perfetti van Melle is an international company based in Amsterdam. It is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of confectionery and chewing gum with nearly $3 billion in sales annually. It has operations in 38 countries, but sells in more than 150.