IBC to close bakery, cut 1,400 jobs

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/11687096.htm

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In its continued downsizing, Interstate Bakeries Corp. is closing its plant in New Bedford, Mass., cutting routes, closing stores and consolidating depots, resulting in the loss of 1,400 jobs.

Once the consolidation of the Northeast profit center is completed in mid-August, combined with previously announced shutdowns and job cuts of 2,200, Interstate will have reduced its workforce by more than 10 percent since filing for Chapter 11 in September when it had 32,000 employees.

The Kansas City-based baking company filed for protection from its creditors on Sept. 22 after experiencing a liquidity crisis.

Since filing for Chapter 11, the company has announced three plant closings, in addition to one in Buffalo, N.Y., that was in the process of being closed when it filed.

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Furthermore, the company said while there is a risk that the job reductions could trigger liabilities related to under funded pension plans covering some of its workers, it's conducting the consolidation in such a way that it believes it can avoid such an action..

...more...

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/miamiherald/11506354.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

Interstate Bakeries Corp., the owner of Holsum bread, is closing its bakery in Medley and will lay off 479 employees by July 8.

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"A slice of South Florida history is coming to an end. The storied Holsum bread factory, which has filled the air of South Miami and later Medley with the smell of fresh baked bread for more than 80 years, is closing its doors.

Interstate Bakeries Corp., the factory's parent company, announced it will close the facility and lay off its staff of 479 employees by July 8.

The closure comes as Kansas City-based IBC, makers of Hostess Twinkies and other baked goods, moves to restructure and consolidate its Florida operations into fewer locations under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The consolidation of depots, delivery routes and thrift stores will mean the elimination of an additional 121 jobs statewide. Production will shift to the company's Jacksonville, Orlando, and Columbus, Ga., bakeries.

The Holsum bread factory in Medley produces 750,000 loaves and more than seven million buns a week, as well products for some of the country's largest retailers. IBC spokesman Jason Booth said the Medley plant was targeted because it produces mostly private label products -- baked goods sold under the retailer's name rather than their own brands such as Holsum, Wonder Bread and Merita."

attacks, they'd most likely still be in business.

Twinkies have a shelf life of 12+ years thanks to partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, which is not soluable. It stays in your body forever. It doesn't get digested, nor does it pass through the system.

I know a science teacher who's kept an unwrapped twinkie on his desk for 11 years... Every year he puts it in the microwave with a dish of water to re-hydrate it. It looks good as new!

Put the filling in a glass of water and it sinks to the bottom and stays there, just like it does in your body.

I wish I could be sympathetic!!!

eom

subsequently probably CANNOT file bankruptcy (not after October,anyway)... I have a feeling the 1920's are going to seem like boom years when Lil' Boots is through.

My mom works there and she has a workers' compensation case. They unreasonably denied her claim while she was off for her back surgery and also paid no time off benefits to her from April 19, 2004 until September 29, 2004 - a long time for someone who lives paycheck to paycheck.

I hope that company survives for the employees, but that the management gets its dose of Karma.