Mars is closing a Nature’s Bakery production facility in Hazelwood, Missouri, according to a WARN notice filed with the state.
The move will lead to layoffs of 345 workers. The plant will continue operating through 2026, with a permanent closure planned for September 2027. Layoffs will be conducted in September of this year and in February 2027.
Nature’s Bakery is transitioning manufacturing to other facilities, according to the WARN notice. The soft naked snack bar brand has other production sites in Salt Lake City and Carson City, Nevada. The company said impacted employees can seek other employment within Nature’s Bakery and Mars.
Nature’s Bakery makes whole wheat, oatmeal, fig and brownie bars that are plant-based and nut free. Mars bought the brand in 2020 shortly after it purchased fellow snack bar brand Kind.
Since buying Nature’s Bakery, Mars had said it was able to build the brand into one of the fastest growing snack bars. Mars spent $237 million to build the Salt Lake City production facility to keep up with the surging demand.
“As we continuously evaluate our manufacturing footprint and evolving business needs, we’ve carefully made the difficult decision to close our Hazelwood manufacturing facility in September 2027,” a Mars spokesperson said in a statement. “This decision in no way reflects the performance of the site or our dedicated Associates.”
