Russell Stover Chocolates is making several changes to the production, retail and distribution networks that bring hand-crafted confections to customers across North America.
“Having been in business since 1923, we know the importance of keeping pace with the changing tastes and preferences of the people who buy our chocolates,” said Andy Deister, Russell Stover CEO.
“Just as consumers change their preferred flavour or package, they’re changing the way they shop for our products, and we’re making sure we have the infrastructure to deliver on their expectations.”
Following a strong fiscal year 2019, Russell Stover plans to expand facilities in Corsicana, TX, and Abilene and Iola, KS, aiming to add approximately 300 jobs in total in these three locations. This will occur in conjunction with the closing of the Montrose, CO location in the spring of 2021. Russell Stover will also be closing select low-traffic stores over the course of the next year.
The consolidation process with the Lindt & Sprüngli North American (LSNA) logistics operation, which began in 2018, will continue as scheduled. This will result in the closure of the Cookeville, TN, and Butler, MO, distribution and fulfilment centres later this year, and the transfer of the Cookeville Fulfilment Centre to the Russell Stover Plant in Corsicana, TX.
In total, there will be approximately 400 positions affected by these changes across the country, a number which will be substantially offset by planned additions of approximately 300 positions at the expanded facilities in Kansas and Texas. During this transition, we are committed to providing employee support, including giving significant advance notice of all facility closures, offering additional opportunities within Russell Stover, as well as providing severance, continued health care coverage and other benefits for those working through the close date.
Although change is always challenging, Russell Stover Chocolates remains committed to its purpose, employees, consumers and communities, and to continuing its almost 100-year tradition of producing high quality, delicious American-made chocolates.
