GREENVILLE, Pa. - A company that many people associate with jellies and jams is closing a Mercer County facility that distributes pet foods.

A spokesperson for J.M Smucker tells 21 News that the company expects to close its Greenville distribution center in August.

Smucker communications director Ray Hancart confirmed in an email that 46 positions at the Werner Road facility would be eliminated.

Hancart says employees impacted by the changes have been encouraged to consider applying for open jobs at Smuckers' Meadville manufacturing operation.

“Regardless, any impacted Smucker employee will be offered a comprehensive severance package intended to help bridge them to their next job,” said Hancart.

Smucker's links the closing to the company's acquisitions of two pet food companies.

In 2015 Smuckers bought Big Heart Pet Brands, makers of Meow Mix, Milk-Bone, Kibbles 'n Bits, 9Lives, Natural Balance, Pup-Peroni, Gravy Train, and Nature's Recipe.

Last year Smuckers completed a deal to buy Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, which included the Ainsworth manufacturing plant in Meadville and the Greenville distribution Center. The transaction included the acquisition of Ainsworth's biggest money-making products, Rachel Ray's Nutrish brand.

“We currently have multiple distribution centers and warehouses throughout the country, including some in Pennsylvania, that help us get our pet food products to retailers,” said Hancart. “Because our pet logistics network was formed via separate acquisitions and not designed strategically from scratch, it is not operating as efficiently as we expect it to, and we’re making a few changes to improve its efficiency.”

Hancart says Smuckers plans to open a new distribution center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, that has the size and design to handle multiple lines of products, including our non-pet food items.

Smuckers will also close distribution centers in Greenville and Breinigsville, Pennsylvania, because they will no longer be needed due to the opening of the Carlisle center.

A few smaller storage warehouses in Pennsylvania will be closed because they will no longer be needed.

When the Carlisle center opens in March, other facilities will experience a reduction in the volume.

In August, when the Carlisle facility will be consistently delivering orders, Smuckers will close the Greenville distribution center and the smaller warehouses.