AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT RICH PRODUCTS (07/21/24)

Stephen Levine August 26, 2021

Am I Next? Rich Products closes Frezno frozen dough plant.

JULY 21, 2024 — FRIDLEY, MINNESOTA FACILITY TO CLOSE, 170 LAYOFFS

The company has announced the closure of its food manufacturing plant in Fridley, Minnesota, with 170 layoffs starting in September 2024. The plant will close by the end of December 2024.

According to a company spokesperson, the decision was driven by a plan to distribute the production of baked breads and finished cakes sold to bakeries and restaurants made in Fridley across the company’s manufacturing network."

"The decision was part of a regular assessment of our operations to ensure we're running our production as efficiently as possible, at both the right capacity and at the lowest possible cost for our customers and consumers of our products.

We're supporting our people through this transition by providing severance packages, career assistance, and job resources.

Continually optimizing our operational efficiency is an important move that enables us to drive growth, create enhanced value for our customers, and keep costs down for consumers who enjoy our products."

AUGUST 26, 2021 — Original post…

Buffalo, New York-based Rich Products Corporation, a multinational food products producer, has announced the closure of its 98-year-old frozen dough plant in Fresno, California.

The closure will impact 111 employees. Layoffs are scheduled to commence in November 2021, with a second and final phase scheduled for the end of March 2022.

A statement from a company spokesperson notes, “Based on business and capital assessments, Rich Products has made the difficult decision to close our Fresno, CA manufacturing site and move production to our Lodi, CA and Murfreesboro, TN facilities. Fresno’s 98-year-old infrastructure and current capabilities have limited our ability to meet market demands for more fully finished products. Production is slated to cease in February 2022, with operations shutting down at the end of March 2022. Moving production to Lodi and Murfreesboro offers us greater capabilities for further expansion in the future and is the right decision as we continue to create value for our customers. “This decision is in no way a reflection of the team in Fresno, who has a long history of strong performance and service to our customers.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT NABISCO

Stephen Levine July 19, 2021

Am I Next? Nabisco closes plants in Georgia and New Jersey.

East Hanover, New Jersey-based Nabisco, a producer of cookies and snacks and a subsidiary of Chicago, Illinois-based Mondelēz International, has announced the closure of its Fair Lawn, New Jersery production facility after 63 years of producing Oreos, Ritz crackers, Lorna Doone and Teddy Grahams.

All 600 employees retired, transferred or were laid off as of July 16, 2021.

More than 400 employees were impacted by the closure of the company's Atlanta, Georgia plant in June 2021.

According to a company spokesperson, “Both Fair Lawn and Atlanta are no longer strategic assets from a geographic footprint perspective and both face significant operational challenges, including aging infrastructure and outdated production capabilities, which would have required significant investment to bring them to the modernized state required for the future.”

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT CARGILL (12/03/24)

Stephen Levine April 23, 2021

Am I Next? Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate restructuring.

DECEMBER 3, 2024 — MAJOR RESTRUCTURING WITH 5% REDUCTION IN FORCE

The company has announced a significant restructuring that will impact about 5% of its workforce as part of its 2030 restructuring strategy. Approximately 8,000 employees will be affected.

According to CEO Brian Sikes, “The majority of these reductions will take place this year. They’ll focus on streamlining our organizational structure by removing layers, expanding the scope and responsibilities of our managers, and reducing duplication of work.”

“We have to simplify and streamline our operations, improve the speed and efficiency of our work, more competitively manage our costs and capital, and respond to asks from you and our customers to be an easier company to work for and with, Cargill can be the world’s most consequential food and agriculture company. And before the end of this decade, we will.”

JUNE 13, 2024 — 178 EMPLOYEES IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA

Cargill Meat Solutions will lay off 178 employees after its Fresno operation was acquired by Hanford, California-based Central Valley Meat to expand its own operations. Separations are expected to occur on August 4, 2024.

According to a company spokesperson, “We are sad to see the people impacts and are committed to providing support and resources.”

JANUARY 30, 2024 — 111 IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. expects to lay off 111 people at its facility in Nashville, Tennesee.

A company spokesperson noted that the company’s North American protein business would move production for most of its crumbles product line from Nashville, Tennessee to Columbus, Nebraska, and Fort Worth, Texas facilities.

“In doing so, we’ll maximize production of cooked items used in prepared foods, such as pizza, burritos, soups, and hot snacks, for our customers. And we’ll position Cargill’s value-added protein portfolio for stronger, longer-term growth.”

“This was a challenging decision given its people impact. However, we are confident in the care and support we are providing, as well as that it is the right move to make for the future of our business. We will continue to produce pepperoni from Nashville, and there will be no disruption in delivering any of our cooked crumbles products to our customers during this transition.”

APRIL 23, 2021— Original post…

Wayzata, Minnesota-based Cargill, the global commodity and food producer, has announced that Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate, a supplier of high quality cocoa and chocolate products, will be relocating some operations from its Milwaukee, Wisconsin facility to the company's other plants and outsource part of its packaging and shipping operation to a third-party vendor.

According to a company filing, "The Company has made the decision to simplify operations and focus on our core activities of making chocolate and molding. As a result, we are permanently discontinuing the operation of liquor grinding, dry grind, and retail packaging at the Milwaukee facility.

This reduction in force is expected to result in the permanent elimination of approximately 80 positions – 12 salaried and 68 hourly positions. The Company expects to begin the process of winding down the operations that will be discontinued soon and for positions to be eliminated on or around June 5, 2021."