Peterson Brands plans a “total plant shutdown” in Fort Myers.
In a WARN notice filed with the state, Michigan-based parent company, Peterson Farms, announced the permanent closure of the juice manufacturing plant − located at 9910 Bavaria Rd., near Three Oaks Parkway.
The closing will result in 135 layoffs, affecting the plant’s entire workforce.
The notice of layoffs, filed with the Florida Department of Commerce, is dated April 27.
Florida requires companies to file an advance notice under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act when there’s a plant closing or a mass layoff, so state and local assistance can be swiftly provided to the affected workers.
According to the notice, the layoffs at the Fort Myers plant will coincide with its shutdown on June 27. A union does not represent the employees.
The eliminated positions include everything from an accounting clerk to a warehouse manager. Among the other positions on the chopping block: Batch makers, food safety technicians, logistics specialists, machine operators, maintenance technicians, palletizers, production supervisors, quality control technicians and warehouse attendants.
Reason for closure not disclosed publicly
The WARN notice didn’t include a reason for the closure.
A representative for Peterson Brands could not immediately be reached for comment.
According to its website, the company manufactures and packages shelf-stable juice products for the food service industry, including in 1-liter boxes, as well as in cups and pouches. The ready-to-serve juices are supplied to schools, airlines, cruise lines and other food service providers, including in health care and in the military.
The products, marketed under the HC Plus brand, require no refrigeration, and they’re stocked by most major food service distributors. They contain the daily recommended amount of Vitamin C (per serving).
The website shows the juices come in multiple flavors including orange, cranberry and apple.
Previously, the local plant operated under the name of King Brands. It was King Brands’ only plant.
Peterson Farms announced its acquisition of King Brands LLC in August 2024. The acquisition was meant to expand Peterson Farms’ product portfolio and increase its juice packaging capacity.
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Following the sale, King Brands became known as Peterson Brands.
In a statement at the time, Aaron Peterson, CEO of Peterson Farms, said: “This acquisition aligns perfectly with our growth strategy and our commitment to providing the best products to our customers. King Brands’ expertise and reputation for excellence complement our own, and we look forward to achieving great things together.”
More about Peterson Farms
Founded in 1984 by Earl and Linda Peterson, the Peterson Farms Family of Companies has operated for more than three decades. Headquartered in Shelby, Michigan, with processing plants throughout the United States, the company specializes in individual quick-frozen fruits, fresh apple processing, bulk and retail juice and applesauce, according to its website.
Additionally, the company has the largest freezer storage operation in the Midwest.
King Brands is just one of several juice and beverage manufacturers that Peterson Farms has acquired over the last five years, as part of its larger growth strategy.
Last year, Peterson Brands received a $250,000 Food and Agriculture Investment Program Grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, which the company used toward a $33 million expansion of its capacity for putting juice into containers.
The expansion was expected to create 96 jobs in Shelby Township over three years.
In March 2024, Peterson Farms announced the closure of its manufacturing plant in Dauberville, Pennsylvania, doing business as Appeeling Fruit Holdings, resulting in 68 layoffs. The company acquired the plant in 2019.
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Peterson Brands closing Fort Myers juice plant, 135 jobs affected
Reporting by Laura Layden, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
