Post Holdings announces closing of Lancaster cereal plant by September 2024
LANCASTER − Post Holdings, Inc., on Friday said it is closing its cereal manufacturing plant here by the end of September 2024.
The company in a statement said the closing "reflects Post's need to reduce capacity in its cereal production network."
Production will move to other Post plants and the company expects to save $23 million to $25 million annually starting in fiscal year 2025.
"We are continually optimizing our network so that we can best serve our customers and consumers," Post Consumer Brands President and CEO Nicolas Catoggio said. "This facility closure enables Post Consumer Brands to continue offering a diversified portfolio of great products at a great value."
City economic development director Stephanie Bosco confirmed the closing to the Eagle-Gazette.
"We're really sorry to lose a city employer," she said. "We're concerned about the workforce and making sure that they're taken care of."
There are approximately 200 employees, according to Bosco.
The plant is located on the far east side of Lancaster near the Ohio 37 and U.S. 22 intersection. The plant was originally called Ralston-Purina before TreeHouse Foods took over. Post bought it from TreeHouse in June 2021.
Mayor David Scheffler said he is "very, very sorry" to learn of the closing. But he said there are many other plants in the city that may hire some of the displaced workers.
Fairfield County Economic Development Rick Szabrak said he understands the decision to close happened rather quickly. He said the county is ready to support the local Post workers find other employment.
"We want to make sure the employees are taken care of and that they know we have resources to help them out as we move forward and help them find new jobs or new careers if that's what they desire," Szabrak said. "That's what the Ohio Means Jobs center is there to do."
Like Scheffler, Szabrak said the news is disappointing.
"Our hope is that we'll be able to help the city to get a new company in there if they do officially close," he said. "There's a lot of demands right now for buildings and, hopefully, we'll be able to attract a new company there and maybe add even more jobs to the community."
jbarron@gannett.com
740-681-4340
Twitter: @JeffDBarron
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Post Holdings is closing its Lancaster cereal plant by September 2024
