By CHAT News Today

Spitz factory in Bow Island to close

Feb 16, 2018 | 2:25 PM

BOW ISLAND, AB — A large employer in the County of 40 Mile will be closing its doors this summer.

The Spitz Sunflower Seed Factory located outside of Bow Island will close, PepsiCo announced on Thursday. The company confirmed the news to CHAT News Today on Friday.

“This facility will close later this year and Spitz production will be moving to an existing contract manufacturer partner in the US,” a statement from the company reads. “This was a business decision based on an extensive evaluation of the long-term viability of this site and its ability to meet our increasing volume requirements for the brand, which will continue to play an important role in our North American portfolio.”

PepsiCo purchased Spitz in 2008. The company has been operating out of Bow Island since 1982.

A spokesperson with the company says 53 people will be losing their jobs, but the company will be helping them out.

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“We are committed to assisting our impacted associates with financial support, access to financial counselling and job placement services,” the company said in its statement.

A specific date for closing is not yet known, but the company says the earliest date for closure is mid-July.