US snack maker Utz Brands has announced it will close its manufacturing facility in Grand Rapids (MI) by early 2026, as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and boost supply chain efficiency, according to a FoodBev report.
The decision, revealed alongside the company’s Q2 earnings report, will reduce the company manufacturing footprint from eight plants to seven. CEO Howard Friedman said the move reflected a focus on “operational excellence and long-term transformation” and was essential for strengthening the business over time.
The closure forms part of Utz Brands’ ongoing supply chain optimisation, which aims to deliver productivity savings of around 6% (as a share of adjusted cost of goods sold) in fiscal 2025. The company plans to shift production to larger, more efficient sites to increase automation and improve fixed cost leverage.
Source: FoodBev
