The McCain Foods frozen appetizer factory in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, USA, will cease operations by the end of the year, putting approximately 117 people out of work. Production of breaded onion rings, the facility’s main item, will move to a company’s Rice Lake plant elsewhere in the state.
The decision to shut down is “based on the overall business climate,” said Frank Finn, president of Lisle, Illinois-headquartered McCain Foods USA. He added: “It is never an easy decision to close a plant, especially when it means job losses.”
McCain Foods acquired the facility along with the Moore’s brand from Ore-Ida 19 years ago. In 2009 it eliminated approximately 126 jobs at the Fort Atkinson site in a consolidation move that shifted manufacturing of breaded zucchini, mushrooms, cauliflower and cheesesticks to other locations.
McCain Foods USA continues to operate at 10 sites in the United States, primarily producing french fries and other frozen potato producrts. The plants span the naation from Maine to Washington, Idaho, Nebraska and California, in addition to Wisconsin.
