WRIGHT TWP. -- Mission Foods, one of Luzerne County�??s largest manufacturing companies, is expanding its operations. The company employs about 400 at its current 136,244 square foot manufacturing facility at 15 Elmwood Road in the Crestwood Industrial Park. It has announced that it will lease an additional 40,153 square feet from Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services at 5-11 Elmwood Road.

Mission Foods, based in Irving, Tex., opened its local plant in 2005, in an 110,000 square foot industrial building Mericle had constructed on speculation. Mission Foods purchased the building and later added 26,244 square feet to keep up with its local growth.

�??The company�??s tremendous growth completely maxed out their manufacturing facility,�?� said Mericle Vice President Bob Besecker, Jr. �??Fortunately, we have exactly what they need right next door. Our space will take the pressure off the main plant and give them enough elbow room to sustain their growth.�?�