Conagra Brands is closing a facility in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin that produces its Birds Eye frozen brand.
The Illinois-based CPG giant said 252 people will lose their jobs. Production at the plant is expected to end on or around June 10.
In a statement, Conagra said it will offer severance benefits to employees.
“We continually evaluate our overall network of food production facilities to ensure that we are operating as effectively and efficiently as possible so we can remain competitive as a company,” the statement said. “We have determined that we can continue to meet the needs of the business by making these products in fewer facilities.”
In addition to Birds Eye, Conagra produces Marie Callender’s and Healthy Choice frozen meals as well as Slim Jim meat snacks and Orville Redenbacher popcorn.
Conagra is the latest food manufacturer to announce the closure of a plant as companies aim to streamline production to increase efficiencies and boost their bottom line. The moves come as they pass on higher costs to consumers, which have responded by purchasing few products.
Del Monte Foods said in February it will close two plants to “align and streamline operational capacity with consumer demand.” Several other food companies have announced plant closures, including snacks maker Kellanova, chips producer Utz Brands, cereal manufacturer Post Holdings and meat and poultry processor Tyson Foods.
