SUMTER, S.C. (AP) -- China-based candy manufacturer Au'some is opening its newest manufacturing plant in Sumter.
The firm announced in January that it would invest $6 million and bring 120 jobs to its first and only North American manufacturing plant in the central South Carolina site.
The plant is scheduled to open Friday with 20 employees on the job.
Plant manager Curt Compher says the company expects to expand to 120 employees and may invest even more than $6 million over the next five years.
The company's products, such as Florida Natural fruit snacks, are found in stores like Wal-Mart.
Compher says another five employees were to be added in the near future, and the plant is estimated to produce about 1.5 million pounds of candy in its first year.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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