Aunt Millie’s: Bakery Announces Employee Layoff

Fort Wayne / IN. (amb) Aunt Millie´s Bakeries Inc. recently announced that the family-owned company would be laying off 33 employees at their Fort Wayne bakery. The primary reason for the layoff is said to be overcapacity at the bakery operation. The current economy has made bread sales become sluggish and as a result the decision was made for the layoff. This layoff represents two shifts for an indefinite period of time. The layoff will be based on seniority. Aunt Millie´s Bakeries operates seven bakeries in three states, producing bread and other bakery products. The company´s many brands are distributed throughout the United States, with primary distribution in the Midwest. The bakery was founded in Fort Wayne in 1901, by John B. Franke, as the Fort Wayne Biscuit Company. Today´s President John F. Popp is the grandson of the founder. Aunt Millie´s Bakeries employs about 1’600 people in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky, and operates two bakeries in Coldwater, Michigan, and bakeries in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Jackson, Kalamazoo and Plymouth, Michigan; and Sidney, Ohio. Aunt Millie´s produces baked goods including bread, buns, rolls, English muffins, bagels, and muffins. The company is a member of the Independent Bakers Association (I.B.A.).