Blue Diamond Growers to close Sacramento plant, relocate operations to Turlock and Salida.

Blue Diamond Growers, a California-based almond cooperative, plans to close its midtown Sacramento plant and relocate most of its manufacturing operations to Turlock and Salida. The move aims to streamline operations and position processing operations closer to its farmer-owners. Approximately 600 employees will be affected by the closure, with the transition taking place in phases over 18 to 24 months. The company will offer incentives, severance, and outplacement services to impacted employees.

Blue Diamond Growers, a California-based almond cooperative, has announced plans to phase out operations at its historic Midtown Sacramento plant and relocate most of its manufacturing operations to newer, more efficient sites in Turlock and Salida. The decision, aimed at streamlining operations and positioning processing operations closer to its farmer-owners, will result in the closure of the 50-acre facility in Sacramento, which has been a landmark in the city for over a century [1].

The transition, expected to take place over the next 18 to 24 months, will affect approximately 600 employees. Layoffs will occur in phases, with the first 10 percent of cuts expected later this year. The company has stated that it will offer incentives for employees who stay during the transition, severance packages for those whose roles are eliminated, and outplacement services for impacted positions. Some workers will also have the opportunity to relocate to the Turlock and Salida sites [2].

The decision to close the Sacramento plant was driven by the inefficiencies of maintaining the aging facility, which has long been at the heart of the cooperative’s operations since its founding 115 years ago. The move is part of the cooperative’s strategy to strengthen its market-leading position and bring increased value to its grower members [3].

Despite the closure, Blue Diamond Growers has committed to maintaining its corporate office in Sacramento. The cooperative, which represents nearly 3,000 of California’s almond growers and employs around 1,400 people across its processing plants, will continue to serve its global market, with no expected local effects on the market for almonds [4].

References:
[1] https://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article308323360.html
[2] https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article308319495.html
[3] https://www.just-food.com/news/blue-diamond-california-growers/
[4] https://agnetwest.com/blue-diamond-growers-close-iconic-sacramento-plant/