Bimbo Bakeries USA to end bakery operations in Bay Shore

Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) has unveiled plans to cease bakery operations at its facility in Bay Shore, New York by July, putting 178 jobs at risk.

The bakery, which has a workforce of 265, manufactures Entenmann’s branded products, including Rich Frosted Chocolate Donuts and Danish Crumb Cakes.

BBU said that it will move production activities at the site to other facilities in its manufacturing network.

The company will continue with corporate functions, including R&D, IT and marketing, and will also operate a sales centre, distribution facility and thrift store at the Bay Shore location.

BBU operations vice president Rod Cunha said that it was a difficult decision because of the highly engaged team of associates at the bakery.

"However, after a critical assessment, it was apparent that the facility, first opened in 1961, cannot operate efficiently on a cost competitive basis with the other bakeries in our system," Cunha added.

"We are committed to ensuring that there will be no change in the quality, freshness or availability in the Entenmann’s products consumers have come to know and love."

Established in 1898, Entenmann’s operates as a subsidiary of BBU, which acquired the business as part of its acquisition of the western US baking business of George Weston, in 2002.

BBU, the American arm of Mexico-based Grupo Bimbo, runs more than 65 bakeries, distributes products through 12,000 sales routes across the US, and employs over 25,000 people.