Dean Foods to Close Indianapolis Plant

Dean Foods Co. (Franklin Park, IL) has plans to consolidate production from its Maplehurst Farms dairy operations in Indianapolis, IN, into other Dean facilities in Indiana and Ohio. The company is expected to close the facility on July 18, 1999.

As a result, the company will take a fourth quarter charge of $8 million to close this facility and move production to other facilities. The closure will affect 200 jobs at the facility.

The company has systematically rationalized production and distribution between its existing operations and newly acquired facilities, closing several other acquisition-related plants this year. Dean Foods believe these moves will lead to quicker realization of savings identified when these acquisitions were made.

Dean Foods produces a full line of branded and private label products, including fluid milk, ice cream and extended shelf life products.