Shearer’s is the leading manufacturer of private brand and contract-manufactured salty snacks, cookies, and crackers. Shearer’s current portfolio includes 14 manufacturing locations and 1 distribution center in North America. We have nearly 5,000 team members across our production sites and corporate office in Massillon, OH. Our top customers include Wal-Mart, Frito-Lay, Simply Good Foods, Kroger & Costco.

Over the past 50+ years, Shearer’s has grown from a family run company to the largest salty snack manufacturer in North America. We’re always looking for opportunities to expand our footprint. Super-Pufft USA and Shearers have decided to combine our collective strengths and come together as a single company. Both companies share core values of outstanding product quality, consistent and reliable service to our customers, and a commitment to keeping our people safe and developing their talents. Acquisition of the Bluffton and Perry facilities allows us to increase our production capacity with strategic access to Chicago and the southeast.

Currently, Shearer’s has no plans to close the Bluffton or Perry facilities. Shortly after the acquisition, we have plans to expand production and start making Wavy Lays in Perry. We also have some longer-term projects in the works for Bluffton.

As mentioned above, Shearer’s has no plans to close the Bluffton or Perry facilities - all associates will become employees of Shearer’s. We value the skills you bring to your role as these are critical to the success of our team!

Yes – you will continue to report to the same Supervisor. In the future, we may need to adjust schedules to meet customer needs and production targets. If changes are to be made, ample time will be given to allow you to adjust to these changes.

We’ll be fully integrating Bluffton and Perry onto the Shearer’s network. Super-Pufft is an outstanding low-cost manufacturer, and Shearers is excellent at systems, financial analysis, commercial operations and has access to the funds needed to continue to support growth investments at Super-Pufft. By leveraging our shared values and each other’s strengths, we will become a stronger combined company that is better situated to deliver consistent and accelerated growth in the future. This will allow everyone to do what they do best – make snacks!

There are no immediate plans to make any policy changes. As we fully integrate Super-Pufft with Shearer’s, we’ll review all policies from both companies and determine the right path forward.

All Super-Pufft policies and benefits will remain the same immediately following the acquisition date. This includes pay, tenure, PTO time, and health benefits.

We will be offering Shearer’s benefits to all employees during an open enrollment period that begins in December. Our combined size allows us to leverage market advantages, enhancing the benefits that you’ll have access to. You will participate in Shearer’s benefits package effective 1/1/24.

There are no plans to make changes to the Leadership Team. The strength of the Super-Pufft team was one of the factors in our decision to make this acquisition. The team will continue to lead and make great products for our customers as part of Shearer’s.

We are very pleased that Walid Amrouch has agreed to stay on and lead the Bluffton and Perry facilities. His continued leadership was an important factor in making the decision to acquire Super-Pufft. Our approach is to be "strategically aligned, but independently operated". We look forward to working closely with Walid and his team to support your business momentum and help make it even better!

After a 10 1/2-year ownership period, our current owners are thinking about a transition to new ownership to allow them to realize some liquidity. They have not made a final decision, but are exploring options that include selling part, all, or potentially none of their ownership interest in Shearer’s to a new partner. We very much enjoy having Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan as an owner and appreciate their support and continued investment in our business. We understand and respect their motivations, and truthfully, we are excited about the chance to partner with new ownership that will continue to support our growth.

Super-Pufft was already in the process of purchasing the Bluffton facility when Shearer’s approached them about an acquisition. It was determined that the best course of action was for us to allow that acquisition to happen along the original timeline.

As part of the purchase process, all existing Super-Pufft contracts have been reviewed. The temp agency contracts in place were written specifically for Super-Pufft. With this change in control, Shearer’s has decided to start fresh and look at all available labor providers to determine the best path forward for our collective business.

In the short term, yes. In the longer term, we will assess what Supply Chain strategy makes the most sense for the Shearer’s business overall. This evaluation is part of our standard process to optimize production and how to best service our customers. We do this across all Shearer’s facilities on a regular basis.

Perhaps. Shearer’s regularly evaluates our supply chain strategy to determine the way to produce products in the most cost-effective way for our customers. As our business continues to grow, this could result in new or existing products being produced in different facilities. We have immediate plans to begin producing Wavy Lays in Perry and have other projects in the works for Bluffton.

Our diverse facilities and large footprint allow us to make a variety of salty snacks, cookies, and crackers. Check out our website for a complete list of our capabilities.

Shearer’s is a company that has grown primarily through acquisitions.

• Snack Alliance (2 locations) – 2010
• Lance (2 locations) – 2014
• Medallion Foods – 2014
• Barrel O Fun (3 locations) – 2014
• Super-Pufft Canada (3 locations) - 2022

The Shearer’s Executive Leadership Team is as follows:

• Mark McNeil – CEO
• Bill Nictakis – Executive Chairman
• Steve Fuechtmann – Chief Financial Officer
• Joline Manning – Chief Human Resources Officer
• Jim Planchet – Chief Supply Chain Officer
• Zach Ramos – Chief Commercial Officer
• Greg Sprutte – Chief Information Officer
• Kathy Vanderwist – General Council

You can learn more about our Leadership Team by visiting our website.

As a Shearer’s employee, you’ll be part of our integrated talent management practices. You’ll have access to formal learning and development opportunities and be considered for promotion and advancement opportunities across our collective business.

We encourage you to raise any questions you may have to the Shearer’s Leadership Team or your Human Resources representative. We’ll be spending lots of time at your facilities over the coming months getting to know you. Don’t be afraid to say “hello”!

You can also submit questions via the website we’ve set up for Super-Pufft employees. This site will be your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about becoming a Shearer’s employee. Check it often for updates!