SMUCKER'S CLOSING IN SALINAS vs

THE J.M. SMUCKER COMPANY ANNOUNCED TODAY IT WOULD DISCONTINUE OPERATIONS AT THEIR SALINAS FACILITY. THE PLANT CLOSING WILL TAKE PLACE GRADUALLY OVER THE COMING MONTHS AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 2005. THE SALINAS SMUCKER FACILITY WAS BUILT IN 1959 AND WAS THE COMPANY'S 1ST PLANT IN CALIFORNIA. SMUCKER EMPLOYS ABOUT 41 SALARIED WORKERS IN SALINAS AND 128 HOURLY EMPLOYEES. THE COMPANY WILL OFFER ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES A TRANSITION PACKAGE, WHICH INCLUDES A SEVERANCE PAYMENT, AND ASSISTANCE FROM A CAREER TRANSITIONS COMPANY, TO HELP SOME EMPLOYEES FIND WORK ELSEWHERE. THE COMPANY PLANS TO SELL THE SALINAS SITE, WHICH INCLUDES ABOUT 12 ACRES OF LAND. SMUCKER'S WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN CALIFORNIA AT OXNARD AND CHICO.