[C-U Smokefree] kraft

[Theotskl at aol.com]

Hi all--

What does Kraft and the other Philip Morris subsidiaries do in local 
communitites? Is it philanthropy the only thing they are involved with? 

The article from the DI below is FYI.

Take care, 

Theo

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Kraft's cut to stepside C-U


By Charles Menchaca | Staff writer
Published Friday, January 30, 2004, The Daily Illini 

Recent job cuts and plant closings for Kraft Foods Inc. won't affect their 
Champaign factory — for now.
Kraft plans to cut 6,000 jobs and close 20 plants worldwide over the next 
three years, according to a Tuesday press release. The press release also stated 
that 1,300 positions in North America will be eliminated by the first quarter 
of 2004.
Donna Sitkiewicz, director of corporate affairs for Kraft, said Tuesday's 
news will have little effect on the Champaign factory located at 1701 W. Bradley 
Ave.
Sitkiewicz couldn't comment on the possibility of any other plants in 
Illinois being closed. She said there is no particular area where jobs may be cut.
"They're really coming from all levels," she said.
These actions are part of Kraft's restructuring— a result of more than a year 
of disappointing sales and earnings. 
According to the press release, the company received a 7 percent drop in profi
ts from the previous year to $869 million.
Sitkiewicz said the restructuring is part of Kraft's four-part "Sustainable 
Growth Plan" that will make the company more efficient and global.
According to a facility fact sheet, Kraft's Champaign plant was constructed 
in 1963 and is the largest food manufacturing facility in North America at 1.6 
million square feet. The plant employs approximately 1,300 people. The 
facility also has a recycling center and houses Kraft's largest private group of 
distribution trucks.
The plant brings approximately $110 million a year to Champaign County's 
economy, including payroll, utilities, goods and services.
According to the Kraft Web site, the company has donated to several 
organizations in the Champaign-Urbana area, including the Champaign-Urbana Civic 
Symphony Association.
Kraft also makes numerous contributions to the University, including a $1 
million endowment to the Division of Nutritional Sciences, an interdisciplinary 
program based in the college of ACES.
Sitkiewicz said Kraft's recent announcement will have no impact on the 
contributions. 
Lynette Marshall, assistant chancellor for development in the University's 
Office of Corporation and Foundation Relations, said there are records of 
Kraft's contributions to the University dating back from as early as 1981. She said 
the endowment is their most recent contribution and their "most substantial 
commitment to the University."
Rodney Stoll, director of development in ACES, said the money will go to 
professorships, fellowships and a scholarship for students studying nutritional 
sciences.
Stoll said that Kraft has hired a good number of graduates from the food 
science department and the Division of Nutritional Sciences.
"We'll always have a very special partnership," he said. "We look forward to 
keep working together." 
Although Kraft's plant closings and job cuts will have little effect on the 
Champaign plant, Kraft will not rule out any changes in the future.
"We're continually reviewing all of our plants on an ongoing basis," 
Sitkiewicz said.