Coke Consolidated is closing its Seaford-based warehouse and distribution facility in York County by Oct. 26.
One-hundred employees will be affected by the facility’s closure, according to company officials.
Brian Nick, vice president for Coke Consolidated, said the employees were told Tuesday the plant would close and the plan is to consolidate operations in Sandston and Norfolk.
The closing is not coronavirus-related and the company is shutting down facility to serve their customers better “and the decision was based on that,” Nick added.
Coke Consolidated took over the Seaford facility, 111 Seaford Road, in 2016.
“Since that time, we have carefully assessed our operational and business needs in this region to create efficiencies to allow us to serve our customers even better,” Nick wrote in an email.
Nick said the sales team would continue to serve the region but the company would no longer operate a physical warehousing facility.
Most of the employees, if eligible, will be transferred to nearby locations such as Norfolk and Sandston and “some” employees will be eligible for severance.
It’s unclear just how many employees will be transferred and how many employees will get severance.
“For the small number of teammates whose positions are impacted, and another role cannot be found, severance will be made available,” he wrote in an email.
Nick said he does not have a specific number since they just started working through the process — the company decided to tell employees about the closure now to give them flexibility.
“We want to give as much time as possible before we remove the operations,” he said, adding the employees will work with the company’s HR department. “That’s why we won’t have a finite number until that process is worked through.”
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CHECK OUT THESE STORIES:
- Williamsburg locals start new pop-up business based on fashion, friendship and celebration
- Local nonprofits are coming up with creative solutions in the face of fundraising challenges
- Toano business apologizes after selling culturally offensive item
- College, coronavirus and the city: Williamsburg forges pact with W&M to stay ‘Healthy Together’ as the city welcomes students back
