By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A union leader hopes all the jobs at the historic Atchison, Kansas distillery will be saved as the company moves them to a planned new texturized protein facility.
President Mark May of Local 74 of the United Food and Commercial Workers says the prospect of the new plant eases the unexpected blow of the announced closing of the distillery.
“So, with that added of jobs we’re hoping to just to have a smooth transition from guys that were distillery workers into the textured protein side,” May tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
MGP Ingredients announced it will close the distillery in Atchison, Kansas at the end of the year. In a written statement released by MGP, the company said the decision is consistent with the company’s plan to address profitability with its grain neutral spirits and industrial alcohol products. MGP plans to complete construction of its $16.7 million texturized protein facility by the beginning of next year.
MGP President David Colo blamed shifts in the grain neutral and industrial alcohol markets combined with the increase in the cost of corn for the decision to close the distillery.
“The decision to close the Atchison distillery unfortunately represents the best path forward,” Colo said in that written statement released by the company.
MGP declined a request from KFEQ/St. Joseph Post for an interview, stating the company is not doing any interviews on the decision at this time.
The decision to end the distillery’s run came as a shock to May, who says he never thought the distillery would close.
“Working with the company for over five years, it just didn’t seem like I would ever be having a conversation about losing something that’s been a staple in the Atchison MGP for over 75 years,” May says.
The distillery has become a source of community pride, according to May.
“You know, I’m from Atchison,” May says. “MGP’s a big part of, just not for me because I work there and other guys I represent, but also for the community.”
May thought he would never see the distillery close.
“MGP is a big part of Atchison. And it’s just so scary to hear the fact that we’re losing a piece of it.”
May expects the hourly workers at the distillery to find positions with the new textured protein facility. Some salaried positions might be lost.