SEYMOUR, WI (WTAQ) - Manitowoc-based Lakeside Foods says its Seymour facility is now closed.
The company issued a statement saying the plant will be closed as of December 2nd.
The warehouse remains open until April 30, 2015, which is the end of their fiscal year. Workers affected will be offered employment at other Lakeside locations or receive a severance package.
Company officials blamed economic conditions for Tuesday’s surprise shutdown.
This Lakeside Foods plant processes and cans vegetable, meats and organic products.
The statement included a quote from Dave Yanda, Lakeside’s President & CEO. Yanda said, “Decisions like this are never easy. In this case, it was especially difficult as the plant’s performance has been exceptional. However, when it became clear that Seymour production could be readily absorbed into other Lakeside plants, it became apparent that the decision to close the plant was the correct, though very painful, business decision to make.”
The Seymour facility was built in 1902. Lakeside Foods bought the plant in 1999.
Lakeside Foods, founded 127 years ago, has 11 plants and six distribution centers in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ohio. The company employs 1,700 people.
(Additional reporting from FOX 11).