ConAgra signals shift in restructuring plan: three plants scheduled for shutdown will stay open

ConAgra Foods Inc. won't close three production plants that had been slated for shutdown in a multiyear reorganization effort, signaling a shift in emphasis from cutting costs to growing sales.

"We've had good success with sales of new products, and we believe we have upside potential with sales growth,"said ConAgra spokeswoman Teresa Paulsen.

The three-year restructuring program was announced in March 2006. ConAgra expects it to be substantially complete when the 2008 fiscal year ends in May. Broad goals remain the same: reducing costs in manufacturing, distribution and administration. At the same time, ConAgra is expanding its efforts in marketing and innovation.

Status of plants

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ConAgra manufacturing plants affected in a three-year restructuring program:

Remaining open
• Fort Worth, Texas, canned beans
• Archbold, Ohio, canned goods
• Helm, Calif., tomato goods

Closing
• Memphis, plastic containers
• Rossford, Ohio, pudding
• Folcroft, Pa., snacks
• Laval, Quebec, Canada, taco shells
• Edina, Minn., microwave popcorn
• South St. Paul, Minn., popcorn balls
• Holland, Mich., Reddi-Wip topping
• King City, Calif., onion and garlic dehydration
• Umatilla, Ore., onion dehydration

Source: ConAgra Foods