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07-09-2007, 04:23 PM
Hershey plant for sale as layoffs start
By Christina Salerno - Modesto Bee
Published 12:00 am PDT Saturday, July 7, 2007
Story appeared in BUSINESS section, Page D1
OAKDALE -- As Hershey Co. begins the first round of layoffs at its plant here, it is trying to sell the soon-to-be-empty chocolate factory for $18.5 million.
Today is the last day for 99 Oakdale employees who work on the Hershey's Kisses and Kisses With Almonds production lines.
Hershey is closing the plant in phases, with another production line scheduled to shut down this fall. The entire chocolate factory, which employs 575 people, will close in January.
The Hershey visitors center with gift shop in downtown Oakdale remains open but company officials have not publicly discussed its future.
Employees reached this week by The Modesto Bee said they could not comment on the layoffs because they had to sign confidentiality agreements.
The Oakdale plant closure is part of a restructuring plan by Hershey that will transfer some candy production to a new plant in Mexico. The candy company has closed five other plants in the United States and Canada this year, resulting in thousands of layoffs.
By Christina Salerno - Modesto Bee
Published 12:00 am PDT Saturday, July 7, 2007
Story appeared in BUSINESS section, Page D1
OAKDALE -- As Hershey Co. begins the first round of layoffs at its plant here, it is trying to sell the soon-to-be-empty chocolate factory for $18.5 million.
Today is the last day for 99 Oakdale employees who work on the Hershey's Kisses and Kisses With Almonds production lines.
Hershey is closing the plant in phases, with another production line scheduled to shut down this fall. The entire chocolate factory, which employs 575 people, will close in January.
The Hershey visitors center with gift shop in downtown Oakdale remains open but company officials have not publicly discussed its future.
Employees reached this week by The Modesto Bee said they could not comment on the layoffs because they had to sign confidentiality agreements.
The Oakdale plant closure is part of a restructuring plan by Hershey that will transfer some candy production to a new plant in Mexico. The candy company has closed five other plants in the United States and Canada this year, resulting in thousands of layoffs.