RIPON, WIS. — ConAgra Foods, Inc. is planning to close one of its cookie plants in Ripon, a move that will eliminate about 300 jobs. The Omaha-based company intends to close the west cookie plant, with layoffs expected to be done by December.
“Following an extensive evaluation of our plant network, we have determined that we need to close the soft bake and enrobed cookies facility in Ripon, Wis.,” said Dan Hare, a spokesperson for ConAgra. “The transition will occur in phases between September of 2015 and the end of the year. Approximately 300 people work in the facility, and they can apply for other positions with ConAgra Foods if they choose.
“This does not impact the wafer cookie facility in Ripon.”
ConAgra employs approximately 80 people at Ripon’s east plant, which makes wafer cookies. The east plant is not expected to be affected by the layoffs.
Ripon Foods was founded in 1930 by Horace A. Bumby. It started with one second-hand oven producing plain cookies. Ripon was acquired by Ralcorp Holdings in 1999 and later was purchased by ConAgra in 2013 as part of the Ralcorp acquisition.