More than 200 employees of the General Mills Blue Buffalo plant in Independence will face layoff by the end of this year.
The General Mills layoffs in Independence were announced July 31 through a notice posted to Iowa Workforce Development’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act (WARN) website.
According to the notice, 211 employees will be laid off effective Oct. 6, and another six employees will be laid off effective Dec. 1.
General Mills spokesperson Kim Linberg said in May that the General Mills Blue Buffalo plant, which makes select products for the Top Chews and Nudges brands of pet treats, is expected to end production by the end of the 2023 calendar year.
“We will provide career services and benefits support, as approximately 250 employees determine next steps after the Independence plant closes,” Ms. Linberg said in May. “While never an easy decision to close a manufacturing plant, these changes are in direct support of our pet supply chain strategy, which supports the long-term growth of our business.”
General Mills acquired the Independence plant in July 2021 as part of its $1.2 billion purchase of Tyson Foods’ pet treats business, which is a leader in natural meat treats for pets.
General Mills also operates a large food manufacturing plant in southwest Cedar Rapids.
