Dec 11, 2006 9:48 AM, from staff and wire reports

Dean Foods Co plans to invest $1 million to build a new Akron OH distribution facility by autumn 2007 and to cease operations by Feb 8, 2007, at its Reiter/Akron plant in Barberton OH.

The new distribution facility will employ approximately 45 drivers and eight to 15 warehouse positions. In addition, Reiter Dairy's existing sales staff will remain in place.

Reiter-Akron is centrally located between three sister plants in Springfield OH, Erie PA, and Sharpsville PA. Since all these plants have excess capacity, the company chose to close the Akron production operation and shift production. About 50 percent of the volume will be transferred to the two Pennsylvania operations and 50 percent to Springfield. Workers most affected will be employees--about 165--who do not have commercial driver licenses that would qualify them for driver positions at the new distribution center.

The company has 242 employees at the Reiter/Akron facility.