Hard work creating new life at ex-General Motors plant

MORAINE, Ohio (WDTN) — A former General Motors automotive plant in Moraine is being transformed into a state-of-the-art food manufacturing facility.

Shearer’s, the largest salty snack manufacturer in North America, is in the process of opening its 17th production facility at 4100 Springboro Pike in Moraine.

“This facility is designed to become the industry’s first Single-Serve Center of Excellence, positioning Ohio as a national leader in snack manufacturing and innovation,” said the company.

What is Shearer’s making?

Jeannene Schaffnit, plant manager at Shearer’s, said the facility is going to manufacture single-serve bagged chips, as well as smaller chips found in multi-packs. Items of production will include corn, potato and tortilla chips.

Schaffnit told WDTN.com that consumers will not see the “Shearer’s” name on store shelves.

“We are a private label producer, so that means we don’t produce under the name Shearer’s,” said Schaffnit. “So you won’t be able to go to a grocery store and select a Shearer’s, you know, labeled product.”

The specific brands which Shearer’s produces snacks for is not able to be revealed, but the plant manager said a lot of people have likely consumed their product.

“I guarantee you, being the largest salty snack manufacturer, probably 90% of folks have eaten our product,” said Schaffnit.

‘Tremendous’ clean-up

Prior to Shearer’s becoming a tenant at the location, General Motors operated an automotive paint plant at the site for many years. The plant ceased operations in 2008.

Schaffnit said before Shearer’s had even moved in, the landlord had already taken measures to ensure health and safety for Shearer’s.

“The heavy lifting on that was done by the landlord,” said Schaffnit. “It was cleaned and taken down and all of that. We came in and are amazed.”

The interior of the building has practically been completely replaced, which will allow for a clean facility to produce food.

“An engineering group took it down to the studs, let’s say, and then we put up new walls and
we had to dig up the floors and we put in new floors,” said Schaffnit.

Other additions include water tanks in the ground, new air compressors, boilers, HVAC system walls, new infrastructure, according to Schaffnit.

Further revitalization

As a Daytonian herself, Schaffnit said the site has always meant a lot to her and others within the region.

“I think a lot of us, you know, have family, friends, grandparents, great uncles, you know, all sort of folks that had worked here when it was a GM plant,” said Schaffnit. “It was always kind of painful to drive by, so it is an absolute thrill to be able to turn this facility around, make it a food-safe manufacturing facility, and be able to offer over, just the start, over 300 positions.”

As construction continues, Schaffnit is looking to the future to lead the employees and bring life back to the area.

“I can’t tell you how honored I feel to be able to lead this startup and lead this plant and take this old paint GM plant, which has been empty for so long and fill it up with people and have a remarkable turnaround,” said Schaffnit.

Schaffnit said she is excited to see construction soon wrap up and have contractor vehicles replaced with employee vehicles in the parking lot.

Community-oriented

Shearer’s is a brand that describes itself as “committed to community.”

According to Schaffnit, Shearer’s gives back to the community, including supporting area nonprofits. One of the areas of support Shearer’s likes to boost is those involved in efforts to eliminate food insecurity.

“We’re all part of the community and we want to make it better,” said Schaffnit. “That’s kind of in our, it’s in Shearer’s DNA, and it’s definitely in mine.”

Now Hiring: Shearer’s

Although construction is continuing on the new facility, Shearer’s is looking to fill approximately 300 positions.

Below are just some areas the company is looking to hire:

• Automation
• Forklift driver
• Maintenance
• Managers
• Sanitation
• Supervisors
• Technicians

Schaffnit said individuals interested in job opportunities are encouraged to visit its website and find job listings on sites like LinkedIn.

The company is also planning to be present at the following job fairs:

Date	Location
Sept. 15	Wright State University
Sept. 24	University of Dayton
Sept. 25	Dayton Convention Center

Opening timeline

In October or November, Shearer’s will start turning the equipment on at the new facility.

Schaffnit said the company is on target to start the tortilla line on Dec. 1, followed by corn chips and potato chips in early 2026.

A production expansion at the facility is expected to occur later on in 2026.