TreeHouse Foods Announces Plans To Close Facility In Visalia, Calif.

OAK BROOK, Ill., Feb. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- TreeHouse Foods, Inc. announced the intention to close its facility in Visalia, California by the end of the first quarter of 2019.  The plant primarily produces pretzels and cereal snack mixes for the Baked Goods segment.  Current pretzel production will be moved to other TreeHouse manufacturing facilities prior to the plant closure.  The decision is consistent with the August 2017 announcement of TreeHouse 2020, the Company's restructuring program.  TreeHouse 2020 is a multi-year plan to fully integrate the business and reduce its cost structure in order to invest in market-differentiated capabilities that will serve the rapidly evolving needs of its customers who are strategically focused and highly committed to their corporate brands. 

The closure, affecting approximately 294 employees, is being announced well in advance to provide employees with as much notice as possible and to ensure a seamless transition for customers. 

The costs to close the Visalia facility are expected to be approximately $21 million, of which approximately $8 million is expected to be in cash. Components of the charges include non-cash asset write-offs of approximately $13 million, employee-related costs of approximately $3 million, and other closure costs of approximately $5 million. The Company expects charges of approximately $0.28 per fully diluted share to be incurred in 2018. 

ABOUT TREEHOUSE FOODS 

TreeHouse Foods, Inc. is a manufacturer of packaged foods and beverages with over 40 manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada and Italy that focuses primarily on private label products for both retail grocery and food away from home customers. We manufacture shelf stable, refrigerated, frozen and fresh products, including beverages and beverage enhancers (single serve beverages, coffees, teas, creamers, powdered beverages and smoothies); meals (cereal, pasta, macaroni and cheese and side dishes); retail bakery (refrigerated and frozen dough, cookies and crackers); condiments (pourable and spoonable dressing, dips, pickles, and sauces) and healthy snacks (nuts, trail mix, bars, dried fruits and vegetables). We have a comprehensive offering of packaging formats and flavor profiles, and we also offer natural, organic and preservative free ingredients in many categories. Our strategy is to be the leading supplier of private label food and beverage products by providing the best balance of quality and cost to our customers.