Ice Cream Cone Firm Invests $10M to Expand Plant

Ice cream cone products manufacturer Joy Cone plans to invest $10 million to expand cookie production at its facility in Mercer County, PA in response to increased demand for cookie and wafer products, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced in a release Friday.

During the project, the company will install a new high output wafer line. In addition to new production technology, Joy Cone is also using the funds to train and retain workers. About 400 jobs will be created and retained over the next three years, according to the company’s plans. 

“Given the growing demand for our product, we knew we needed to purchase this new equipment quickly, and this grant is a tremendous help as we manage this significant capital cost,” Joy Cone Chief Executive Officer and President David George said in a statement. “We are excited for this new phase as we continue to grow our operations in Western Pennsylvania.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development gave Joy Cone a funding proposal for a $450,000 Pennsylvania First Grant. Joy Cone worked with the Governor’s Action Team, a group of economic development professionals, to coordinate the project.

“Celebrating over 100 years in our community, Joy Cone has made their family business part of the lives and livelihoods of so many hard-working local families,” Sen. Michelle Brooks, said in the release. “Their partnership helps keep family-sustaining jobs in our community, but also expands job opportunities.”

Joy Cone was founded in 1918 and moved into the Mercer County facility in 1964, according to Gov. Wolf’s office. The firm supplies cones, wafers, and ice cream inclusions to retail, food service, and the industrial/dairy markets in North America. 

The global market for ice cream is expected to grow by a CAGR of 4.9% from 2019 to 2024, with North America forecast the largest market, according to business research firm Mordor Intelligence. 

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