Hostess Brands Inc., the
maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread, says it's going
out of business after striking workers across the country crippled
its ability to make its snacks.
The company had warned employees that it would file a motion with
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Friday seeking permission to shutter its
operations and sell its brands if plants hadn't resumed normal
operations by a Thursday evening deadline. The deadline passed
without a deal.
The closing would mean the loss of about 18,500 jobs.
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"I don't know if they thought that was a bluff," CEO Gregory Rayburn
said on CNBC Friday. He said the financial impact of the strike
makes it "too late" to save the company even if workers have a
change of heart. That's because the clients such as retailers decide
to stop carrying products when supplies aren't adequate.
Rayburn said he's hopeful that the company will find buyers for its
roster of about 30 brands, which include Ho Hos, Dolly Madison,
Drake's and Nature's Pride snacks. The company books about $2.5
billion in sales a year.
Hostess, based in Irving, Texas, said its stores will remain open
for several days to sell remaining products. Operations at its 33
factories were suspended Friday. The privately held company filed
for Chapter 11 protection in January, its second trip through
bankruptcy court in less than a decade.
The move comes after thousands of members of the Bakery,
Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union
went on strike last week after rejecting a contract offer that
slashed wages and benefits in September. The bakers union represents
about 30 percent of the company's workforce.
Rayburn said the union's leadership had misled members into
believing there was a buyer in the wings who would rescue the
company. He said the union hadn't returned the company's calls for
the past month.
A union representative did not immediately return a call seeking
comment.
Hostess had said earlier this week that production at about a dozen
of its plants were seriously affected by the strike. Although many
workers decided to cross picket lines, the company said it wasn't
enough to keep operations at normal levels. Three plants were closed
earlier this week.
Hostess had already reached a contract agreement with its largest
union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The Teamsters had
urged the bakery union this week to hold a secret ballot on whether
to continue striking.
Hostess said the company is unprofitable under its current cost
structure, in large part because of union wages and pension costs.
Rayburn said in a statement on the company website that all
employees will eventually lose their jobs, "some sooner than
others."
"Unfortunately, because we are in bankruptcy, there are severe
limits on the assistance the (company) can offer you at this time,"
Rayburn wrote.
Hostess, founded in 1930, was fighting battles beyond labor costs.
Competition is increasing in the snack space and Americans are
increasingly conscious about healthy eating.
Editor's Note:
Wheat Belly: #1 Diet and Health Book in America Changing Lives
© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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