As a 42-year employee and now retiree from Folgers Coffee, I have great knowledge of the company that made Louisiana its home in 1963. Its origin dates to 1850 in San Francisco.
I am replying to Dave Cash of the United Teachers of New Orleans. I am a past member of the UAW 1805 Union at Folgers. Folgers built a manufacturing site in New Orleans East across from the Michoud Assembly Facility in 1963. Shortly after that, it was acquired by Procter & Gamble, which decided to take Folgers nationally from a regional brand.
It shut down its San Francisco plant along with one in Houston. A plant was built in Sherman, Texas. Folgers also had a plant in downtown Kansas City. As America’s leading coffee company, Folgers not only created high-paying jobs at its plants in New Orleans East but its silo facility on the riverfront supports the port with its huge importation of coffee. Many more port jobs were created with its consolidation to New Orleans.
Also, a huge distribution warehouse was built in Lacombe to ship and be a buffer for Folger’s from future hurricanes. The state and city made promises for Folger’s expansion here, and Folgers kept its promises. Don’t renege on promises.
After Hurricane Katrina, decisions had to be made between the state and Procter & Gamble. Competition was heavy in the coffee business, Folger’s contemplated leaving but the state made promises in return for Folger’s to stay and consolidate in New Orleans.
Gov. Bobby Jindal gave Folgers a tax break of $9 million and Folgers agreed to shut down its Sherman and Kansas City plants and bring all its production to New Orleans. Folger’s has made New Orleans its base. New Orleans should thank Folgers for its commitment to New Orleans.
GENE BISCHOFF
Covington
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