TreeHouse Foods to close two manufacturing plants

TreeHouse Foods Inc., Oak Brook, Ill., said it intends to close two manufacturing plants: one in Azusa, Calif., and one in Ripon, Wis. The decision follows an analysis of the company's plant network to align operations with the current and future needs of its customers and eliminate excess manufacturing capacity.

The Azusa facility employs approximately 660 individuals and produces bars and snack products, primarily for retail customers. Full facility closure and the end of production at Azusa is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2017. Products produced at the Azusa facility will be moved to other manufacturing facilities within the company's existing network. TreeHouse said it does not expect supply disruptions during the transition.

The Ripon facility employs approximately 60 individuals and produces private label sugar wafer cookies for grocery retailers. After evaluating various options, the company said it decided to discontinue sugar wafer products because of declining demand. Full facility closure and the end of production is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Both facilities were part of TreeHouse Foods' acquisition of the ConAgra Foods private brands business in February. The company said it will provide severance benefits, transitional support and outplacement services to employees whose positions are being eliminated.