Association: Snyder's, Lance merger spells growth

YORK COUNTY

If Snyder's of Hanover Inc. merges withLanceInc.,bothcompanieswould gain access to valuable resources and market opportunities, said Michael Smeltzer, executive director of the Manufacturers' Association of South Central Pennsylvania.

Snyder's and Lance last week announced they agreed to merge, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. They said they hope to close on the deal by fall and call the company Snyder's-Lance Inc. It would boast combined revenue of $1.6 billion, according to Lance.

"Size matters in the consumer packaged-goods industry, and being larger will provide more opportunities for us from a marketing and distribution standpoint," …