Maker’s Pride, the US contract manufacturer to emerge from the bankruptcy of Hearthside Food Solutions, is closing two factories.
The Downers Grove, Illinois-headquartered business plans to complete the closure of the sites in the third quarter, located at Salt Lake City, Utah, and Shakopee, Minnesota, according to a statement.
Almost a year after completing a restructuring in the wake of Hearthside’s Chapter 11 proceedings in late 2024 and wiping out around $2bn in debt, Maker’s Pride said the decision has been taken as part of its “long-term growth strategy”.
When the co-manufacturer announced its new identify last April, the maker of baked goods, salty snacks and nutrition bars said it had 27 facilities.
A month previous to that, a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filed with the California Employment Development Department said Hearthside was closing its facility in Anaheim, with the loss of 175 jobs.
In May the previous year, Hearthside announced it would close its snack bars factory in Nashville, Tennessee, affecting 229 positions.
“As Maker’s Pride accelerates investment in strategic growth categories and modernises its operations with advanced automation, the transition is designed to enhance efficiency, support innovation, and better position the company to meet evolving customer and consumer expectations,” it said in the statement yesterday (12 March).
Maker’s Pride did not mention how many jobs will be impacted from the Utah and Minnesota closures. Just Food has asked the company to clarify the numbers and for details on its “strategic growth” initiatives.
However, the company did say it will “make transition resources available to impacted team members”.
CEO Darlene Nicosia said: “The decision to close these plants was not made lightly and reflects careful consideration of multiple business factors, market dynamics, and the steps needed to position our network for future growth.
“We remain committed to treating all team members and our customers with fairness, transparency, and respect throughout this transition.”
Having wound down its debt, Maker’s Pride said last April it had around $600m in liquidity supported by backers Apollo and Oaktree Capital Management.
“Maker’s Pride moves forward as a well-capitalised company,” it said in a statement at the time, noting $200m had been raised through an equity rights offering and $190m from an asset-backed loan.
