The Kraft Foods manufacturing site in Dover celebrated its 50th anniversary last week with an event for employees and local officials.
The facility makes Stove Top stuffing, Jell-O dry packaged puddings and gelatins, Shake ‘N Bake coating mix, and Kool-Aid, Tang, Country Time and Crystal Light drink mixes. The company ( formerly General Foods) started construction of the plant in 1962 and opened operations here in 1964.
The plant recently received production that had been done in Mexico and at the event broke ground on a new employee meeting and training pavilion.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating this milestone,” said Justin Cressler, plant manager of the Kraft Dover facility. “It’s a privilege to be part of this terrific community and to be making products here in Dover that are a part of consumers’ lives every day. Our plant associates are key to our success and we’re proud to have a 50-year employee on hand to help us mark this special occasion.” Kraft employee Delores Hendricks, a packaging machine operator, was earlier honored by the entire plant, the week she celebrated her 50th anniversary of working at the site.
“Our Dover manufacturing facility has done outstanding work through its history,” said Steve Yucknut, vice president. . “Today, the Dover site is incorporating Integrated Lean Six Sigma practices into its processes. As a result, our employees here are transforming how they work to build their capabilities so they can achieve zero waste and zero defects.” Continuing to innovate and incorporate industry best practices will help the Dover site remain a key local manufacturer and employer. Kraft estimates that its local economic impact is at least $45 million annually, including payroll, utilities, taxes and local goods and services. Kraft-Dover and its approximately 550 employees also give time, money and products to numerous local organizations. At the anniversary event, Cressler announced that Food Bank of Delaware would be the recipient of a month-long food drive by employees, and also receive products made at the facility for the Food Bank’s Backpack Program.
In 2013, the Kraft Foods Foundation donated a Kraft Mobile Food Pantry to the Food Bank of Delaware. The Kraft Foods Group Foundation also provided $30,000 in grants to the Food Bank in 2013-2014. The Dover facility and its employees also support the Special Olympics, African American Festival, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, and American Heart Walk.
Members of the not-for-profit Kent-Sussex Industries (KSI) also joined the site celebration. KSI provides rehabilitation and employment services to those who need specialized assistance to find and maintain employment. Kraft and KSI have partnered for eight years and KSI associates perform salvage rework at Kraft-Dover. Other attendees at the event included elected and government officials and staff, members of industry organizations, and representatives from the Food and Commercial Workers Union and the Teamsters Union.
