Unilever to close Calif.-based manufacturing plant

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. Unilever is shuttering its manufacturing plant in City of Industry, Calif., which manufacturers such personal care brands as Dove, Suave and Axe, and shifting the production to other company facilities in the United States, the company announced on Thursday.

The plant's closure will affect 61 salaried and hourly employees.

Production from City of Industry will be transferred to Unilever sites in Jefferson City, Mo., and Raeford, N.C., in several phases beginning by the second quarter of 2010 and to be completed in the third quarter 2010.

City of Industry plant production is expected to finish during the third quarter of 2010, with the final plant closing expected to occur during that same time period.

"Continually achieving greater efficiencies across our supply chain network is essential to our business," stated Dennis Myers, supply leader. "An extensive and careful analysis has shown that greater efficiencies can be achieved by shifting production to other company plants in the United States. This decision was not easily made, and in no way reflects the dedication or performance of our colleagues at the City of Industry facility."