Mars Closes $237 Million Facility, Lays Off Hundreds
Mars is shutting down a major Nature's Bakery production facility in Hazelwood, Missouri, affecting 345 employees. The closure follows a significant investment in a new facility last year.
Mars, the global confectionery and food giant, has announced the closure of one of its Nature's Bakery production facilities located in Hazelwood, Missouri. The plant is scheduled to cease operations permanently in September 2027.
The closure will result in the layoff of 345 workers. Reductions will occur in two phases, with the first set of layoffs taking place this September and the second in February 2027. Mars stated that affected employees will have the opportunity to apply for other positions within Nature's Bakery and Mars.
This decision comes as a surprise, given that Mars invested $237 million last year in a new production facility in Salt Lake City to accommodate the growing demand for Nature's Bakery products. Mars acquired the snack brand in 2020.
A Mars spokesperson told Food Dive that the closure is part of an ongoing evaluation of the company's manufacturing footprint and evolving business needs. The company emphasized that the decision does not reflect the performance of the Hazelwood site or its employees, and that their priority is supporting the workers through the transition.