USA: Dean Foods Company to Close Mobile, Alabama Milk Plant

Dean Foods Company today announced a decision to close its Mobile, Alabama milk plant and move production from that facility to its Barber Dairies milk plant located in Birmingham, Alabama.The closure will affect approximately 70 hourly and salaried employees at the Mobile milk plant. Affected employees will receive an outplacement program including severance, job counseling and extended health benefits."Consolidating operations is a necessary step for us to remain competitive within our fluid operations," said Dick Bailey, President and Chief Operating Officer. "This move ensures our ability to continue to serve our customer base from other Dean plants while maximizing our cost competitiveness. This plant consolidation will result in lower operating costs going forward."Dean Foods is one of the nation's leading dairy processors and distributors producing a full line of branded and private label products, including fluid milk, ice cream and extended shelf life products, which are sold under the Dean's and other strong regional brand names. Dean Foods is the industry leader in other food products including pickles, powdered non-dairy coffee creamers, aseptically packaged foodservice products, and refrigerated dips and salad dressings.

May 31, 2000

Dean Foods Company today announced a decision to close its Mobile, Alabama milk plant and move production from that facility to its Barber Dairies milk plant located in Birmingham, Alabama.

The closure will affect approximately 70 hourly and salaried employees at the Mobile milk plant. Affected employees will receive an outplacement program including severance, job counseling and extended health benefits.

“Consolidating operations is a necessary step for us to remain competitive within our fluid operations,” said Dick Bailey, President and Chief Operating Officer. “This move ensures our ability to continue to serve our customer base from other Dean plants while maximizing our cost competitiveness. This plant consolidation will result in lower operating costs going forward.”

Dean Foods is one of the nation’s leading dairy processors and distributors producing a full line of branded and private label products, including fluid milk, ice cream and extended shelf life products, which are sold under the Dean’s and other strong regional brand names. Dean Foods is the industry leader in other food products including pickles, powdered non-dairy coffee creamers, aseptically packaged foodservice products, and refrigerated dips and salad dressings.