MANUFACTURING Joy Cone seeks to expand plant as demand for product grows

HERMITAGE , Pa. -- Joy Cone Co., which bills itself as the world's largest producer of ice cream cones, is asking the city for permission to expand its plant at 3435 Lamor Road.
The manufacturing plant is in a single-family residential district, and any change to the facility must be granted a zoning variance before it can proceed.
City records show Joy wants to construct six additions to its plant for a total of 168,672 square feet of additional manufacturing space.
Company officials have not released any details of the project, which is expected to enable Joy Cone to meet a growing demand for its product.
Hearing set
The Hermitage Zoning Hearing Board will hear its requests for a variance at 7 p.m. Monday in the city building, at 800 N. Hermitage Road.
Nathan Zampogna, city zoning officer, said he isn't aware of any opposition to the project from residents in the Lamor Road area.
Company's background
Joy Cone was founded by the George family in 1918 and now bakes more than 1.5 billion ice cream cones annually.
It has manufacturing facilities here and in Flagstaff, Ariz.
The company is partly family-owned by members of the George family and is partly owned by its employees through a stock-option plan.
The American Culinary Institute awarded the company its 2003-04 Best Taste Award for its cones.