Saputo to close cheese plant in the U.S.
The move comes from a continuous analysis of the Company's activities as a whole and the implementation of measures aimed at improving operational efficiency.
30/09/05 Saputo Inc. has announced the closure of the cheese and by-product manufacturing plant in Whitehall, PA, United States. The plant will first cease to produce cheese on October 29, 2005, and then will end the by-product production at the latest by march 2006. All the activities of the Whitehall plant will be integrated into those of other Saputo facilities.
In all, 115 employees will be affected, 85 of whom will cease work on October 29, 2005. Some of the employees will be given the opportunity to transfer to other Company plants. After tax, costs connected with the closure will be approximately US$1.6 million. The Company expects annual after tax savings of about US$3 million.
This decision stems from a continuous analysis of the Company's activities as a whole and the implementation of measures aimed primarily at improving the Company's operational efficiency.
Solid foundations, a commitment to excellence and dedication to growth are the keystones that have enabled Saputo Inc. to evolve as the largest dairy processor in Canada, one of the most important cheese producers in North America, the third dairy processor in Argentina and the largest snack cake manufacturer in Canada. Our products are marketed under such well-known brand names as Saputo, Armstrong, Alexis de Portneuf, Kingsey, Dairyland, Baxter, Nutrilait, Stella, Frigo, Dragone, Treasure Cave, La Paulina, Ricrem and Vachon. Saputo Inc. employs 8,500 people bringing their talents and passion to its 45 plants and its distribution centres, from one end of the Americas to the other. Saputo Inc. is a public company whose shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SAP.
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