Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger, the largest supermarket chain by revenue, has announced the closure of its 190,000-square-foot building Columbus, Ohio bakery and the layoff of 411 workers.
The decision appears to have been based on an aging facility first opened in 1928.
A Kroger spokesperson noted, “After evaluation of the equipment and layout of the plant, it became clear that the outdated layout and age of the equipment were no longer sustainable for us to remain competitive.
Production at the plant will cease immediately and the process of decommissioning its operations is expected to take 60 – 90 days. To keep competitive with the markets nowadays, we have to make some tough decisions.
Workers will be paid for 60 days before receiving severance based on years of service per their collective bargaining agreement with the company.” The property will be sold and the work transitioned to other facilities or farmed out to third-party contract bakers.
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