Dive Brief:
- Come January, Cargill will shut down its Lititz, PA, plant and move production to "more modern and efficient plants" at locations in Mount Joy, a separate Lititz location, and Hazleton, PA, in addition to Milwaukee and Ontario, Canada, according to a news release.
- The company is moving leadership, administrative, and costumer-focused jobs for North American cocoa and chocolate to Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Cargill's corporate headquarters are in Minneapolis, which will give the business closer access to administrative, R&D, and marketing.
- These changes mean cutting 130 jobs, mostly at the Lititz plant. About 30 other employees will see reassignments or have relocation opportunities.
Dive Insight:
"These are very difficult decisions, especially when they involve people who have done such great work for us over the years," according to Cargill cocoa and chocolate North America president, Bryan Wurscher. "We are committed to helping those who are impacted find other employment and assist them with this transition."
The moves are meant to help offer new products and boost production, the company said in a news release. The global chocolate and cocoa business includes 27 facilities in 11 countries and more than 3,000 employees.
This plant closure follows ADM selling its global chocolate business to Cargill officially in August.