DINUBA – Changes are coming to the Ruiz Food manufacturing facility in Dinuba later this year, as the company is set to lay off over 100 employees.
According to a statement from Ruiz Foods, the company is reducing 176 positions at its manufacturing facility in Dinuba, effective Nov. 4. Affected employees were notified on Sept. 2. The Dinuba plant currently employs approximately 1,400 team members.
“This difficult decision impacts valued members of our team and is necessary to better align production capacity with anticipated customer demand,” said Ruiz Foods President and CEO Kimberli Carroll in the statement.
The statement explained that, as part of this effort, the Dinuba facility will transition to a five-day production schedule beginning Nov. 4. The new schedule is said to better match production needs, align with operating schedules at other Ruiz Foods manufacturing facilities and provide Dinuba employees with weekends off.
“The Dinuba plant remains a critical part of Ruiz Foods’ manufacturing network,” the statement said. “The company continues to invest in the facility and has planned capital investments to support its long-term role in our operations.”
Carroll added that Ruiz Foods is committed to supporting affected team members during the transition. Eligible employees will receive separation packages that include severance pay based on years of service, COBRA continuation of health coverage and information regarding unemployment benefits. Affected employees will also have the opportunity to apply for open positions at other Ruiz Foods manufacturing facilities.
In addition, Ruiz Foods is offering an Early Retirement Incentive Plan, providing eligible Dinuba team members who choose to retire with enhanced separation benefits, said the statement.
Additionally, in accordance with California requirements, employees whose positions are impacted have received Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notices at least 60 days prior to the effective date of the workforce reduction.
Ruiz Foods Products, Inc. is a privately-owned corporation co-founded by Fred Ruiz and his father, Louis, in 1964. The company is the nation’s largest manufacturer of frozen Mexican food, best known for popular brands like El Monterey burritos and Tornados roller-grill snacks
