Pinnacle Foods Group Announces Plans to Further Improve Supply Chain

Pinnacle Foods provides all Fulton employees with more than the legally required 90 day notice period, and provides the majority of those employees affected with more than six months notice.

4/19/2011 --- Pinnacle Foods Group LLC announced plans to further improve the efficiency and sustainability of its supply chain. The company will be consolidating its Birds Eye brand’s Fulton, N.Y. plant operations into its Darien, Wis. and Waseca, Minn. facilities, which will locate all vegetable processing closer to the crop growing region, eliminating approximately one million shipping miles every year.
 
 “The decision to close the Fulton, N.Y. facility was made after a thorough analysis of all options. The analysis determined this as the most efficient, sustainable way to operate.  We are grateful for the services of our employees in Fulton and are committed to treating them with fairness and respect as we transition the facility this year,” says Daryl Pike, senior vice president of operations, Birds Eye Frozen Division, Pinnacle Foods Group.  The Fulton, N.Y. facility will be closing at the end of 2011.

By announcing the closing, Pinnacle Foods provides all Fulton employees with more than the legally required 90 day notice period, and provides the majority of those employees affected with more than six months notice. The company will work with the State and local workforce agencies to assist dislocated workers and provide professional career support services.  Qualified employees will have the opportunity to apply for open positions at other Pinnacle Foods facilities.  Additionally, Pinnacle Foods will meet with the union officials at the plant to discuss details of the transition.

In the Darien, Wis. and Waseca, Minn. plants, Pinnacle Foods will be investing significant capital to increase capacity and upgrade existing manufacturing capabilities, which will also result in the creation of new jobs in those regions.  This consolidation is contingent upon the final approval of applicable state and local incentives in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.