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Prairie Farms Dairy is shuttering two manufacturing plants in Shullsburg in southwestern Wisconsin, and plans to lay off all 118 employees at both facilities.
The first layoffs started July 20 and affected 43 workers at the Prairie Farms Dairy Shullsburg Creamery in downtown Shullsburg, according to the WARN notice from Prairie Farms Dairy. In August, 54 employees at White Hill Cheese will be laid off. Another 21 employees will be laid off at a later date once both facilities are closed.
A Prairie Farms Dairy spokesperson told the Journal Sentinel the company will try to sell White Hill Cheese to an interested party once the closure is done.
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"These decisions follow a careful review of Prairie Farms' manufacturing network and long-term operational needs," the spokesperson said. "Like many manufacturers, Prairie Farms continually evaluates its operations to ensure it is well positioned to serve customers efficiently and support long-term growth. The company is committed to supporting affected employees throughout the transition."
The Shullsburg Creamery brand will continue distribution, according to the spokesperson, and the Shullsburg Creamery retail cheese store in downtown Shullsburg will not be affected by the closures. Shullsburg Creamery has a separate manufacturing facility in Shullsburg not included in either layoff notice, according to the Prairie Farms Dairy letter to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
Most of the employees immediately affected by the layoffs are production and operations workers. None are part of a union and will not get bumping rights against other employees.
The Shullsburg Creamery was founded in 1934 by Danish immigrant Anton Pederson. Prairie Farms acquired Shullsburg Creamery in 2020. The facility continued to make cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack and other cheeses under the Shullsburg Creamery brand and Prairie Farms Dairy distribution.
White Hill Cheese started operations in 2010 as a joint venture between White Hill and Prairie Farms Dairy. Prairie Farms Dairy assumed full ownership of White Hill Cheese in 2020. White Hill Cheese manufactured Swiss and baby Swiss cheese for wholesale distribution.
Prairie Farms Dairy is based in Edwardsville, Illinois, and produces a variety of dairy products as well as lemonade and iced coffee. Outside of its Wisconsin plants set for closure, Prairie Farms Dairy has facilities in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana and Michigan.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Prairie Farms Dairy to close two Wisconsin plants, lay off 118 workers
