Colony Brands Inc., a longtime employer in south‑central Wisconsin, filed a notice with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development indicating that its Janesville distribution center at 200 West Venture Drive will be permanently closed on or about March 31, 2027.
Impact on workers
The filing states that 82 employees will be affected by the closure. The majority are temporary workers whose annual lay‑off date traditionally falls just before the holiday season. All four full‑time employees currently at the Janesville site have been offered full‑time positions at the company’s other facilities in Monroe or Sun Prairie.
The remaining 78 positions are slated to be offered as transfers in 2026 or 2027. Colony Brands says the transferred roles may involve picking and packing orders, forklift operation and other distribution‑center duties at its Monroe, Sun Prairie or other locations.
Reason for the shutdown
In a letter to staff, Colony Brands cited “operational capacity, cost efficiency and long‑term flexibility” as the primary reasons for the decision. The company believes it has sufficient space at its other sites to absorb the work currently performed in Janesville, thereby eliminating the costs associated with operating a separate facility.
The letter also notes that the food‑gift packing operations currently handled in Janesville will be moved to the Sun Prairie plant in 2027.
Company background
Founded in 1926 as The Swiss Colony, the company began as a small food mail‑order business and has grown into a diversified brand with headquarters in Monroe, Wisconsin. Over the past five years, the Janesville operation has played an important role in supporting the business, a success the company attributes to the dedication and hard work of its employees.
Community response
Local leaders and community members have expressed concern about the loss of jobs, especially for the temporary workforce that relies on seasonal employment. However, Colony Brands’ commitment to offering transfers and full‑time positions at nearby facilities aims to mitigate the impact on families in the region.
City officials in Janesville are monitoring the situation and will work with the company to ensure that displaced workers receive appropriate support and resources during the transition.
What’s next
Employees are expected to receive detailed information about transfer opportunities and timelines in the coming weeks. The company plans to complete the relocation of its food‑gift packing operations to Sun Prairie by early 2027, aligning with the overall closure schedule.
Colony Brands’ decision reflects broader trends in the logistics and distribution industry, where companies continually assess operational efficiency and cost structures to remain competitive.
Original reporting: WIFR Rockford News First (local) — read the source article.
