Shearer’s Foods will not rebuild Hermiston plant
By Dan Thesman on Monday, September 26th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – Shearer’s Foods will not be rebuilding its plant in Hermiston after the property was destroyed in a fire earlier this year. Employees were notified last week of the company’s decision.
“It was a difficult decision not to rebuild in Hermiston because of our dedicated employees and all the
support we’ve received from the community over the years,” said Bill Nictakis, Chairman and CEO of
Shearer’s Foods. “As Shearer’s continues to grow, we have decided that it is in the company’s best
interest to focus our resources on maximizing production at our other facilities.”
The Hermiston plant closed indefinitely after a boiler explosion and subsequent fire destroyed the
facility in February. After the closure, Shearer’s employees were provided a comprehensive
severance package, based on tenure, including pay and benefits plus unused vacation. Since then,
Shearer’s has worked with community organizations and local employers to plan career fairs, food
drives, and counseling services for team members impacted by the explosion.
In a news release, Shearer’s thanked the Hermiston community for their unwavering support since opening the plant in 2010. Former employees who wish to work at another Shearer’s location are strongly
encouraged to apply for transfer opportunities at https://www.shearers.com/careers/.
