South Central Business Association

Floyd Street Business Closes After 75 Years

Nov 13, 2001

New World to close pasta plant in Louisville

New World Pasta Co. plans to close its Louisville facility that has been operating at 2521 S. Floyd Street since 1925.

The Harrisburg, Pa.-based company said in a news release that the planned closing, which should take place on or about March 31, is a result of the company's acquisition last month of 11 pasta brands and six manufacturing facilities from Borden Foods Corp. New World also has announced the planned closings of facilities in Lebanon, Pa., and Omaha, Neb.

A spokesman at New World's Pennsylvania headquarters could not be reached for comment.

"This completes the company's review of its manufacturing capabilities as a result of its July 30, 2001, purchase of the dry pasta business of Borden ... (The closings) were the result of difficult but necessary decisions to enable New World Pasta to reduce its overall cost structure, increase efficiencies and better compete in the marketplace," John Denton, New World's CEO, said in the release.

The Louisville facility, which is located along Interstate 65 near Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, has 17 salaried and 80 hourly employees, the release said. The company will offer severance packages and placement services to eligible employees.

New World Pasta -- which produces dry pasta marketed under the brands American Beauty, Light ` Fluffy, P&R, Ronzoni, San Giorgio, Skinner and Mrs. Weiss -- has about 1,400 employees nationwide.