SISTERS, OR -- Laird Superfood announced Tuesday it's closing its Sisters production facility. The fulfillment center, which is also closing, just opened a year ago. The company makes plant-based powdered coffee creamers and other health foods.

In a letter to employees, the CEO says the Sisters facility is unable to produce at a rate that’s competitive with the industry.

The CEO told Business Wire the decision to outsource its manufacturing was difficult but necessary. 

A total of 46 employees will be laid off. The facilities are expected to shut down at the end of January.

 

CEO Jason Vieth's letter to employees, dated October 12, 2022:

It is with great sadness that we announce today that we will be closing our Production and Fulfillment facility and will begin to co-manufacture our products. The reason for this decision is based on an inability to produce at this facility at a rate that is competitive with the industry, which is exacerbating significant financial pressure currently on the business.

Therefore, the Company must implement layoffs at its facility located at 275 W. Lundgren Mill Drive, Sisters, OR 97759. The entire facility is expected to permanently close on approximately December 31st, 2022. There will be different termination dates based on departments, which are expected to be as follows:

• December 12, 2022 – Production and Engineering, Maintenance, and Facilities employees;

• December 31, 2022 – Warehouse, Fulfillment, Inventory employees, as well as some Marketing and Administrative employees; and

• January 31, 2022 – the final group of employees handling the plant wind-down.

We understand that this has great impact on our employees and their families. We will be offering severance benefits to eligible employees as well as coordinating outplacement support to assist you in finding new opportunities. You will receive a packet of information regarding your specific situation today. Also, we are required to point out that there are no “bumping rights” that apply here.

We thank all of our employees for their hard work and dedication.