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MINNEAPOLIS - Oct. 29, 2015 – In early 2016, Cargill will continue to take steps to improve and expand its chocolate, compound and chocolate liquor production offerings and services for North American food and beverage companies.
In January 2016, Cargill will close its plant in Lititz, Penn., on Broad Street and shift production of these offerings to Cargill’s other, more modern and efficient plants in Mount Joy, Lititz (West Lincoln Avenue) and Hazleton, Penn.; Milwaukee; and Ontario, Canada.
Also in January, Cargill will centralize its North American Cocoa and Chocolate leadership, administrative and customer-focused roles in Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Previously these functions were based in Lititz and other locations throughout North America. Cargill’s Milwaukee facility features extensive production and product development capabilities and an expansive, modern office space. Minneapolis is home to Cargill’s corporate headquarters and this move will bring its North American Cocoa and Chocolate business closer to the company’s vast administrative, research and development and marketing resources.
As a result of these changes, approximately 130 jobs, mostly those working at the plant in Lititz, will be eliminated, effective in January 2016. Approximately 30 other employees will be reassigned or offered relocation options for positions at one of Cargill’s other North American cocoa and chocolate sites.
“These are very difficult decisions, especially when they involve people who have done such great work for us over the years,” said Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate North America president, Bryan Wurscher. “We are committed to helping those who are impacted find other employment and assist them with this transition.”
The historic Wilbur Chocolate Candy Americana Museum and Candy Store in Lititz will remain open. Cargill will continue to employ approximately 2,200 employees in its Cocoa and Chocolate and other businesses throughout Pennsylvania.
Cargill is taking these steps to help bring its customers expanded product offerings, increased production capacities and efficiencies. Cargill’s cocoa and chocolate business operates globally with 27 sites in 11 countries with more than 3,000 employees and serves customer needs worldwide with a distinctive range of innovative and high quality cocoa and chocolate products, tailor-made for confectionery, bakery, dairy, and other applications.
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About Cargill’s global cocoa and chocolate business
Cargill’s cocoa and chocolate business offers the food industry a wide range of both standard and customized cocoa and chocolate ingredients for use in delicious bakery, confectionery and dairy applications all over the world. The company’s product range includes high quality Gerkens® cocoa powders, chocolate, coatings, fillings, cocoa liquors and cocoa butters. With years of experience in technical food expertise Cargill supports its customers in new recipes and new product development. Cargill’s processing plants in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia, the Netherlands, UK and the USA are in full compliance with the highest food safety standards. To secure a good quality and sustainable supply of cocoa beans, Cargill has its own cocoa bean sourcing operations for buying, handling and exporting of cocoa beans in Brazil, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Indonesia. Presence in all the leading producing countries allows Cargill to oversee the supply chain from beans at origin to cocoa and chocolate products on its customers’ doorsteps. In addition, extensive market research and analysis proves to be a source of valuable information to customers. More information is available at www.cargillcocoachocolate.com/
About Cargill
Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and 150 years of experience. We have 155,000 employees in 68 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.
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