Sunrise Confections products, Mount Franklin Foods
Mount Franklin produces candy through its Sunrise Confections division.

EL PASO, TEXAS — Mount Franklin Foods, L.L.C., a North American manufacturer of confections and nut products, has acquired its first candy making facility in the United States from Au’some Candy Co. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The company plans to invest $10 million in equipment for the Sumter, N.C., facility, Mount Franklin said, allowing the company to add vitamin gummies and other fortified products as well as organic and natural fruit snack items to its product portfolio.

Azar Nut Company products, Mount Franklin Foods
Mount Franklin produces its Azar Nut products at a plant in El Paso, Texas.

The candy facility is expected to be operational by the end of the second quarter of 2017 and is projected to create at least 225 new jobs, the company said.

Gary Ricco, Mount Franklin Foods
Gary Ricco, president and c.e.o. of Mount Franklin Foods

“Everyone at Mount Franklin Foods is excited about our new operations in Sumter, S.C.,” said Gary Ricco, president and chief executive officer of Mount Franklin Foods. “The Palmetto state and Sumter are pro-business, and this new location will provide us with a strong platform for driving revenues by continuing to serve our customers with compelling product offerings.”

The acquisition of the Sumter candy plant marks Mount Franklin’s fifth food manufacturing plant. The company owns three candy plants located in Juarez, Mexico, and an Azar Nut plant in El Paso, Texas. Through its Sunrise Confections and Azar Nuts divisions, the company’s operations span more than 1 million square feet, including four SQF Level III rated manufacturing plants.