Del Monte Foods Inc., global giant in food production and distribution, reportedly announced the permanent closure of its plant at Sleepy Eye to Minnesota Department of Economic and Employment Development.
Del Monte would carry out the plant’s closure by the end of this year’s packing and harvest season. Sleepy Eye plant was opened at the time of great depression and has been serving as the main stay of Sleepy Eye community for 89 years.
The Mayor of Sleepy Eye, Wayne Pelzel, stated that Del Monte’s closure in Sleepy Eye would have a huge impact on the community. Pelzel added that this decision will influence the housing, the schools and just a number of other things in the Sleepy Eye community. People in the Sleepy Eye are disappointed by the news.
Del Monte has decided the closure of the plant on or around 21st of October. Layoffs are expected to begin by October 2 and will be staggered till next June as the plant completes shipping, labelling and administrative work required to close. A total of 294 seasonal jobs and 69 full-time jobs will be eliminated after this decision.
This closure is just a part of the greater vision of Del Monte’s parent company, Del Monte Pacific Limited based in Singapore, to close or sell most of its U.S. assets. Apart from the closure of the plant in Sleepy Eye, the organization will also close production at Mendota, Illinois, plant and would also sell off its facilities in Crystal City, Texas., and Cambria, Wisconsin.
The plant started production in 1930 and produces canned peas with production being the highest among all other plants of Del Monte. The production will be shifted to Del Monte’s other U.S. plants.
Source credit: http://www.startribune.com/del-monte-closes-sleepy-eye-plant-will-layoff-all-workers/556692012/?refresh=true