Listen to this article

Popcorn maker Dale and Thomas Growers LLC is laying off 56 workers at its Englewood facility as the company alters its manufacturing arrangements, it said Tuesday.The company, which produces the Popcorn, Indiana, brand of snacks, will have about 100 employees left at the New Jersey facility after the layoffs, it said in a statement. It issued a WARN notice earlier this month that the workers would be laid off by March 27.

“Unfortunately, our volume mix will change; that will require a change in our manufacturing schedule, hence necessitating the change in the number of our manufacturing employees,” the company said in a prepared statement. While it is adding manufacturing capability, it is doing so by working with a contract manufacturer, it added.

Multiple media reports this month indicated the production would be shifted to the company’s Indiana facilities.

“This allows us to be closer to our ingredients as well as closer to our customer base from a shipping standpoint,” Dale and Thomas said in its statement.

In addition to Popcorn, Indiana, popcorn and kettle corn, Dale and Thomas’ products include Chip’ins popcorn chips and FIT ready-to-eat popcorn.

Former NBA star Isiah Thomas is part of the company’s management team.

ALSO ON NJBIZ:

State of the State: Christie praises incentives, omits Transportation Trust Fund

Exclusive: One of state’s top marketing firms buying one of its biggest creative agencies

Georgia offered Mercedes more than $23M in incentives to move, report says