Baking & Snack - July 2010 - 26

from
the
Lance resurrects the Ashland, OH,
Archway Cookie plant just eight
weeks after acquiring the operation.

BY STEVE BERNE
fter a series of challenges, the once-iconic
Archway Cookie Co. was forced to cease
operations at its last wholly owned facility at
Ashland, OH, in October 2008. Seizing the
opportunity to expand its capabilities in branded as
well as private-label cookies, Lance, Inc., Charlotte, NC,
purchased the plant and all its assets. That act began
a whirlwind of activity at the plant and within Lance
to not only reopen the bakery but also give it a true
makeover, implementing its well-tested Lance concepts
for corporate culture, employee empowerment, product
quality and operational efficiency.
"It was a really tough time when the plant closed not
only for the 278 folks employed at the Archway plant but
also all the contactors, sales people - nearly 700 people lost
their jobs - and our suppliers," said Lisa Mahon, human
resources manager. "It was really a shock for everyone."
"What was even more astounding was the speed with
which Lance brought the operations back on line after it
signed the acquisition papers on Dec. 9," noted Dan Streit,
bakery services manager and a 37-year Archway employee.
"Within one week after the acquisition, more than 30 Lance
employees from corporate headquarters came in and met
with all ex-Archway plant employees; gave each one a check
for $1,500 dollars as a goodwill gesture; interviewed 265
people interested in returning to the plant, with the ability
to only rehire 60 at the time; hired, trained and restarted
operations. It was incredible. We are now back to about 200
employees, 137 of which are former Archway staff."

BAKING & SNACK / July 2010

Part of the employee empowerment included involving
current employees in the interview process for new employees. "This was a volunteer opportunity, and it not only
was an eye-opener for the employees but also really elevated
them to a level of job ownership we had never seen before,"
Ms. Mahon said. "To the prospective employee, it showed
the seriousness of the job they were applying for. Once
hired, we set up new employees with mentors to acclimate
them into our culture. It has really worked out well."
Jeremy Bowen, plant manager, came on board at the
plant in February 2009, site unseen. "I had heard so many
good things about Lance, and after discussions with Blake
Thompson, senior vice-president supply chain, I realized
this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. It really came
down to the culture, and we see that every day. It seems
sometimes that the plant can run itself, and managers are
not needed. And that's a great feeling for everyone."
At this point, the company still values the plant's history
and heritage, but it eagerly looks to its future. "We're full
speed forward, with a list of projects and ideas, many originating from the hourly employees, that can keep us busy
for a long time," Mr. Streit noted. "We run autonomously
as far as Archway products within the Lance organization
and bring much needed capacity to the company's Vista
Bakery private-label operations at Burlington, IA."
Joe Phinney, logistics manager, a 22-year veteran of
Archway and several previous positions at Mothers, Beatrice and Parmalat, was responsible for relocating the
distribution center to Ashland in 2005 and for liquidat-

Baking & Snack - July 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Baking & Snack - July 2010