Lactalis American to Close California Plant

Mozzarella Fresca, a Tipton cheese plant in Tulare County that has been in operation for more than 80 years will close in September. The closing will affect 144 plant workers. In a notice filed with the state Employment Development Department, owner Lactalis American Group announced its intention to close the plant, according to The Fresno Bee.
The layoff notice identified Sept. 6 as the target date for the first stage of layoffs. The closure will be a gradual process through December, said Sandi Miller, the Rapid Response coordinator for the Tulare County Workforce Investment Board.
Visalia businessman Jody Graves, who headed a company that ran the plant for about five years, notes, "Over the years, a lot of products ran through that plant, including butter and powder, and it had a rail line to ship products to Los Angeles."
Mozzarella Fresca is known for its fresh mozzarella cheese, sold under the Galbani Mozzarella Fresca brand. The company became the first U.S. producer of fresh mozzarella to win a gold medal at the World Cheese Awards, in 2006. The company also produces ricotta cheese.
The largest group of employees to lose their jobs will be those in the packaging department. About 55 packagers are identified in the layoff notice, along with 11 sanitation workers, seven lab technicians, and production, maintenance and warehouse workers and machine operators.
Mozzarella Fresca