Irving / TX. (bw) Hostess Brands Inc. said that it would close its bread bakery in Akron, Ohio, due to market conditions and operations efficiencies. The Company expects that production at the bakery will end by June 25.
The Akron bakery employs approximately 100 people. Hostess also employs about 400 sales and retail personnel in the region, whose jobs will not be affected by the bakery closing. They will continue to serve the marketplace with bread products produced at Hostess Brands´ Northwood, Ohio bakery. The Company´s office operations will continue in Akron.
Changes in local market conditions, including declining purchase of bread by consumers in the area, made it necessary for the Company to consolidate its Northwood, Ohio bakery and close the Akron bakery, which has been operating since 1923. The age of the facility also would have made it difficult and expensive to modernize production equipment at the plant, as would have been needed to meet changing consumer preferences, the Company said.
«While closing a bakery is always a difficult decision, it´s important that we continue to shape our business to meet the demands of the marketplace», said Hostess Chief Executive Officer Craig Jung. «I appreciate the years of dedicated service and hard work by our employees and deeply regret the impact this news will have on them and their families. We will make every reasonable effort to make this transition as smooth as possible».
