Shearer’s Foods to close Bristol plant, cut 155 jobs

Shearer’s Food plans to stop production at its Bristol, Virginia, manufacturing facility Friday and to close the facility Sept. 26, according to a company announcement made last week.

About 155 employees learned Wednesday they will lose their jobs.

The Ohio-based manufacturer of salty snacks, cookies and crackers said the shuttering follows a “thorough review of the company’s business, manufacturing network and long-term operational needs.” Production at the Bristol facility has declined as customer demand has shifted, according to a company news release.

“This was a difficult business decision and one we did not take lightly,” Shearer’s Foods CEO Bill Nictakis said in a statement. “Our Bristol team members have worked hard, represented Shearer’s with pride and contributed meaningfully to our business. Our focus now is on treating every affected team member with respect and providing practical support as they prepare for what comes next.”

Team members will remain employed and on the payroll through the week of Sept. 20. A small number of employees will continue working after production ends to support closure-related activities. Shearer’s Foods will provide severance, as well as onsite job fairs, outreach with local employers and partnerships with local workforce development agencies. Affected employees also can apply for open roles at other Shearer’s Foods facilities, and relocation assistance may be available.

Bristol City Manager Tamrya Spradlin noted that Virginia Works, also known as the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement, will provide resources to the impacted workers.

“The City of Bristol regrets to hear that Shearer’s is leaving and hopes the employees will be able to transition to new roles in the future,” she said.

Other facilities in the company’s manufacturing network will pick up production from the Bristol plant, according to the release. However, Shearer’s Foods does not expect to add positions at other facilities because of the Bristol closure. No decisions have been made about the future of the facility at 225 Commonwealth Ave.

Founded in 1975, Shearer’s Foods describes itself as the largest supplier of private-brand salty snacks and the second-largest supplier of private-brand cookies and crackers. The company operates 17 U.S. locations and employs more than 5,000 people.