Candy company closing Chattanooga plant

photo One of two Farley's & Sathers buildings is on Jersey Pike.

Ferrara Candy Co. is closing its Chattanooga production plant by the end of the year and laying off all of its manufacturing employees, the company announced today.

The company's Jersey Pike facility, which over the years has been operated as Farley's & Sathers, Brach's and Brock Candy Co., will be put up for sale.

A group of corporate employees will stay in Chattanooga and move to another location, the company said.

Earlier this year, Ferrara Candy laid off 95 employees at the plant. The company now employs about 100 people.

"Like all companies, Ferrara Candy must be proactive in ensuring efficient operations in order to remain competitive. After a detailed review of our manufacturing capacities and cost structure, the company has determined to consolidate our manufacturing operations and will be closing our manufacturing plant in Jersey Pike by the end of the year," the company said in a statement.

Ferrara said production capacity at Jersey Pike will be absorbed by other facilities in its manufacturing network. It said it would provide assistance to ease the layoffs of employees, including providing severance, outplacement services and internal opportunities.

The company said it's actively pursuing the sale of the plant to a new operator, which may have the ability to re-hire the workforce.

"We are working with industry representatives and brokers to assist with this effort, and already have several parties who are interested in the space," the company said.

Five years ago, the plant and a sister operation in Lookout Valley employed 450 people when it was known as Farley's & Sathers.

Ferrara bought the business about two years ago and closed the Cummings Road site.

The Jersey Pike plant traces its roots to what was then locally owned Brock Candy Co.

See more in Tuesday's Times Free Press.

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