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Saturday, June 19, 1999
By KREMENA TODOROVA Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM - Consolidated Container, a local processor of steel drums for Kraft Foods, shut its doors permanently Friday, after losing a contract to a competitor, co-plant manager Janet Wilfahrt said. The closure puts a total of 25 workers out of a job, Wilfahrt said. The plant had scaled its payroll down from 25 to 15 people in the last two months, and Friday was the last work day for all but three, who, with Wilfahrt and co-manager Roger Fortwengler, will wrap up operations in the next two weeks. "We don't know what we'll do," said Wilfahrt. "We are displaced workers, all of us - we are checking our options at this point." "It's still a shock for everyone." According to Wilfahrt, the facility itself will "be looked over" by the local competitor next week, with the intention to buy. Sources from the business in question could not be reached to confirm or deny this report. Consolidated Container, also known as Minnesota Steel Drum, has been in business for 40 years, of which 30 at the present site at 209 3rd South. Wilfahrt said the plant's fortunes began to change in the last two-three years, with the advent of plastic barrels. "I've been here for 25 years- things got different in the last two or three years," she said. Kraft Foods spokesperson Cathy Pernu confirmed her company "until recently" was a Consolidated Container customer. She said Kraft was aware of the closure but declined to elaborate on the relationship any further. Wilfahrt thanked local businesses for phone calls to express support. "They've been very nice," she said. "We appreciate all the support that's out there for us."
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