Triad Gaining Maola Production Jobs

An eastern North Carolina company is shifting some production to the Triad and to Virginia.

Maola Milk first opened in New Bern, North Carolina in 1935. It makes a full line of dairy products, including yogurt, whipping cream, and ice cream novelties. Now the company is moving its fluid milk production to facilities in High Point and Newport News, Virginia. As a result, 98 workers will lose their jobs. The company says they will get a severance package and employee assistance to secure new employment.

According to a spokesman, the fluid milk market is very competitive resulting in plant consolidations and closures across the Southeast. Maola executives say they are moving operations for several reasons. The first is a decline in national milk consumption. In 2013, there was a drop of 2.3 percent. Also a majority of the dairy farms supplying Maola with fresh milk are in the western and central part of North Carolina. Executives say this move will help reduce some transportation costs in getting the milk to a processing plant. Finally, this move will strategically put production closer to retail customers. About 30 employees will stay at New Bern facility to perform various administrative duties.