Soup sagging, Campbell to close 2 plants

NEW YORK — Campbell Soup Co. is closing two U.S. plants and cutting more than 700 jobs as it looks to trim costs amid declining consumption of its canned soups.

The world’s largest soup maker said Thursday that it will close a plant in Sacramento, Calif., that has about 700 full-time workers. The plant, which makes soups, sauces and beverages, was built in 1947 and is the company’s oldest in the country. That also means it has the highest production costs of Campbell’s four U.S. soup plants.

Campbell also plans to shutter a spice plant in South Plainfield, N.J., that has 27 employees. Production will be shifted to the company’s other spice plant in Milwaukee.

Employees at the two closing plants were notified that there would be a meeting at 6 a.m. local time Thursday; about 400 workers showed up in California, where they were told of the closure.

“It’s always difficult, even when there’s a business case that is compelling,” said Anthony Sanzio, a Campbell spokesman. “You’re dealing with people, and this is going to impact 700 employees who’ve worked together closely for many years.”

Although Camden, N.J.-based Campbell makes other products such Pepperidge Farm baked goods and V8 vegetable juices, soups account for half its revenue. Over the past decade, overall canned soup consumption is down 13 percent, according to the research firm Euromonitor International.