The frozen potato product leader to close an older facility, adjust production, and reduce workforce in response to shifting consumer demand.
Lamb Weston, a major supplier of frozen potato products to restaurants and retailers, has announced significant adjustments to its North American operations as part of a restructuring plan aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. The company will close its aging processing facility in Connell, Washington, curtail certain production lines, and temporarily adjust schedules across its network. These changes will also include a workforce reduction of approximately 4%, or 428 jobs.
Adjusting to Market Realities
According to Lamb Weston CEO Tom Werner, demand for frozen potato products relative to supply continues to face challenges, a trend the company anticipates will persist through fiscal 2025. With consumers dining out less and reducing discretionary spending, demand for restaurant-supplied products has softened, prompting the need for decisive action.
“We expect these actions will help us better manage our factory utilization rates and ease some of the current supply-demand imbalance in North America,” said Werner.
The Connell facility, an older and higher-cost operation, is the latest closure in the company’s effort to streamline its operations and address underutilization. Lamb Weston’s decision mirrors broader trends in the food manufacturing sector, where companies are taking similar steps to mitigate costs and align production with market realities.
Cost Savings and Operational Efficiency
The restructuring is expected to generate approximately $55 million in pre-tax cost savings during fiscal 2025. This move aims to reduce operating costs, improve cash flow, and better position the company for long-term growth in a challenging economic environment.
In addition to closing the Connell facility, Lamb Weston plans to eliminate unfilled positions and optimize production at its remaining facilities to maintain efficiency while balancing supply and demand.
Industry-Wide Response to Economic Pressures
Lamb Weston is not alone in making adjustments to its operations. Across the food and beverage sector, companies are reevaluating their manufacturing strategies to cut costs and improve margins amid economic uncertainty.
- Flowers Foods, known for Wonder bread, recently closed a Louisiana facility.
- Bimbo Bakeries USA, overseeing brands like Entenmann’s and Sara Lee, shuttered three facilities in New York and Texas.
- Campbell Soup Company announced the closure of one plant and downsizing another while investing in modernizing its operations.
- Dr Pepper has shifted its production focus, closing two facilities while expanding others.
These moves reflect a broader trend where companies invest in newer, more efficient facilities to remain competitive in a landscape defined by tightening margins and shifting consumer habits.
Looking Ahead
Despite current challenges, Lamb Weston remains committed to serving its customers with high-quality frozen potato products while optimizing its operations to weather market fluctuations. These restructuring efforts, while difficult, position the company for greater resilience and efficiency as it navigates the evolving food industry landscape.
