Despite nationwide job cuts, Kraft/Oscar Mayer to keep headquarters in Madison
Excerpted from Wisconsin State Journal
By Judy Newman
Kraft Foods will cut 1,600 positions in North America and consolidate offices as it prepares to split its business in two.
Madison will be among the locations losing jobs — about 12 positions will be cut. But Madison will continue to be the base for Kraft/Oscar Mayer as well as one of two management centers for its grocery business, the company said Tuesday.
Keeping the headquarters is “great news for the Madison region,” said Jenn Post Tyler, interim executive vice president of MadREP, the region’s eight-county economic development group. “I think it’s a vote of confidence that signals to other businesses and even entrepreneurs in these areas.”
A Kraft spokesman said fewer than 15 Kraft/Oscar Mayer employees in Madison were slated to lose their jobs. Division President Nick Meriggioli told Mayor Paul Soglin 12 jobs will be cut.
“The news that Madison will continue to be home to Oscar Mayer is certainly in part because of the excellent work done in Madison,” Soglin said in a statement. “Over 100 years ago, Oscar Mayer recognized that Madison is a great place to establish a business, and we look forward to his namesake company remaining in the city for years to come.”
