Unilever to close spreads factory in Atlanta

Unilever to close Atlanta factory that makes Country Crock and other spreads, cut 125 jobs

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. (AP) -- Unilever PLC, the maker of Lipton tea, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Dove soap and other products, said Friday that it will close an Atlanta factory by the end of June, eliminating 125 jobs.

The company makes Country Crock, Imperial and I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spreads at the site. It said it is making the move because it has spare capacity at its other U.S. plants that make spreads.

Unilever, with dual headquarters in London and Rotterdam, Netherlands, is the world's third-largest maker of consumer products behind Procter & Gamble Co. and Nestle. Its employs almost 11,000 people in the United States.

U.S.-listed shares rose 60 cents to close at $40.26 Friday.