PARSIPPANY, N.J., Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Consistent with its growth outlook for the EVOL® brand at the time of the Company's Boulder Brands acquisition, Pinnacle Foods today announced plans to relocate EVOL manufacturing operations to an existing Pinnacle facility in Fayetteville, AR. The EVOL brand has outgrown its current manufacturing site in Boulder, CO, and the Fayetteville location has the necessary capacity to accommodate the business. Select products will continue to be produced at strategic contract manufacturers with specialized capabilities. Pinnacle anticipates the EVOL plant will close in the first quarter of 2017.
"While it's never an easy decision to close a manufacturing plant, this action will ensure the long-term success of the EVOL brand," said Mike Wittman, Pinnacle Foods Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer. "We are thankful to the employees at the EVOL plant and value the many contributions they have made to the business."
The approximately 85 affected employees at the EVOL facility will be encouraged to apply for open positions at other Pinnacle facilities, including at a nearby facility in Denver, CO. Pinnacle will provide pay continuation for a period of time for eligible employees, employee assistance support and will also connect employees with career support services. A minimum of 60 days' notice prior to final closure of the plant will be provided to employees.
Pinnacle will be investing in the Fayetteville facility to upgrade existing manufacturing capabilities and expects to hire approximately 25 new full-time employees to support the added capacity. The state of Arkansas has committed support to Pinnacle in the form of grants and incentives in recognition of the economic benefit of Pinnacle's expansion in Fayetteville.
