More than 200 people will lose their jobs when Kraft Heinz closes its Richardson Foods plant in St. Marys.
The plant is one of seven of the company's facilities that will close in the next 12 to 24 months, it was announced on Wednesday. The company is undertaking a downsizing that will see the elimination of 2,600 jobs.
St. Marys Mayor Al Strathdee says it's unfortunate news.
“The Town of St. Marys has been fortunate to have a strong industrial base throughout its history," says Strathdee is a statement released Wednesday afternoon. "Richardson Foods and Heinz Canada have had a strong and long presence in our community, and we sincerely appreciate the excellent working relationship they have had with the Town. We are saddened today to learn that the Kraft Heinz Company has decided to close their St. Marys facility."
The St. Marys plant makes various food products for Kraft Heinz, including a line of Renee's Salad Dressing.
The other facilities being closed are in Fullerton and San Leandro, Calif., Federalsburg, Md.; Campbell, N.Y.; Lehigh Valley, Pa., and Madison, Wisconsin.
"Our decision to consolidate manufacturing across the Kraft Heinz North American network is a critical step in our plan to eliminate excess capacity and reduce operational redundancies for the new combined company," says Michael Mullen, senior vice-president of corporate and government affairs.
The company, co-headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, formed from the merger of Kraft and Heinz earlier this year. After the facilities close, Kraft Heinz will have 41 plants in North America that employ about 18,000 people.
Kraft Heinz formed from the merger of Kraft and Heinz earlier this year. The new company announced in August that 2,500 non-factory jobs would be cut following the merger.
**with files from the Associated Press**
