Dean Foods will be closing its Pet Dairy plant in Hickory, N.C. on November 21. The plant produces ice cream and employs 120 people.
A Dean Foods spokesman said the plant is being closed in an effort to optimize the company’s supply chain in an increasingly competitive environment. Production will shift to other Dean Foods plants.
Dean Foods said affected employees at the Hickory plant will receive severance and benefits extension. Information about available job opportunities throughout the Dean Foods network will be shared with the employees, the company said.
Dean Foods is the largest processor and distributor of dairy products in the United States.
It sells milk, ice cream and other dairy products under more than 50 regional brands and private labels.