Ardent Mills, a premier flour milling and ingredient company, recently announced that it is closing four plants -- a change it said is necessary based on an analysis of current and anticipated demand and to enhance the efficiency of the Ardent Mills network. The company said it will operate and invest in its remaining 35 flour mills across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

“These decisions are difficult, especially because of the impact on our valued team members. However, this is a critical step to put greater focus and investment on the rest of our plants,” Ardent Mills chief executive officer Dan Dye said. “Our growth plan calls for strategic investments in our unmatched network of community mills; these changes allow us to grow accordingly and better meet customer needs.”

The affected plants in Macon, Ga.; Loudonville, Ohio, and Red Lion, Pa., will close effective June 30, 2019, while the Rush City, Minn., plant will close in the first quarter of 2020.

The company said its leadership is making every effort to help affected team members, including through placement at other Ardent Mills locations, career support and other transitional assistance.

During these changes, Ardent Mills said it will continue to embrace its values of trust, serving, simplicity and safety. The company is working closely with customers involved to transition to other Ardent Mills locations and to ensure that they receive the quality and service they expect.

“Ardent Mills’ vision and values remain the foundation of our organization and will carry us forward,” Dye said. “Our dedicated team is committed to working closely with customers, farmers and suppliers and bringing innovation to the market with strategic moves like the introduction of The Annex by Ardent Mills. The future of grain-based solutions is filled with opportunities.”