Schumer tours Kraft Heinz plant in Avon

Andrea Deckert//November 25, 2015//

Listen to this article

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., toured the Kraft Heinz Co. facility in Avon Wednesday morning.

While there, Schumer talked to workers, management and local leaders about the future of the plant.

State leaders this month announced a deal has been made to keep three Kraft Heinz plants in Upstate New York—including the one in Livingston County—open for at least the next five years.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Schumer said the agreement will keep nearly 1,000 workers employed.

Under the agreement, Kraft Heinz will continue operating the plants in Avon; Walton, Delaware County; and Lowville, Lewis County.

Additionally, Kraft Heinz will defer its planned closure of a Campbell, Steuben County, plant for a period of 12 to 24 months, during which time the company will work with state, federal and local officials in an effort to identify a new operator who would retain the plant’s existing employees.

The state and the company are also committing to each invest at least $20 million to support and modernize Kraft Heinz’s upstate operations, the legislators said in a release.

The Kraft Heinz Avon facility, which produces Oscar Mayer Lunchables and Cool Whip products, employs 405 people and is the largest private-sector employer in Livingston County.

Schumer noted this week that the workers at the Avon facility are a smart, productive and capable workforce, and both Kraft Heinz’s and New York’s new investments will keep them in Avon for years to come.

The company previously said it was considering closures as part of a cost-cutting effort that aims to shave $1.7 billion in spending by 2017.

In July, Kraft Foods Group Inc. merged with H.J. Heinz Co. to create the third-largest food and beverage company in North America.

The company ranked 19th on the most recent Rochester Business Journal list of manufacturers.