Ardent Mills, a premier flour-milling and ingredient company, announced four plant closures. The company, a joint venture between ConAgra Foods, Cargill Inc and CHS Inc, said the closures were necessary due to “anticipated demand and to enhance the efficiency of the Ardent Mills network.”

“Ardent Mills will operate and invest in the remaining 35 flour mills across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The company’s leadership is making every effort to help impacted team members, including placement at other Ardent Mills locations, career support, and other transitional assistance.” the company said in a release. The four plants impacted are Macon, Georgia, Loudonville, Ohio and Red Lion, Pennsylvania, which will close effective June 30, 2019; Rush City, Minnesota will close the first quarter of calendar year 2020. Ardent Mills did not specify how much capacity will be lost with the closures and did not provide details of any job losses at the mills.

“These decisions are difficult, especially because of the impact on our valued team members. However, this is a critical step to put greater focus and investment on the rest of our plants,” said Dan Dye, CEO of Ardent Mills. “Our growth plan calls for strategic investments in our unmatched network of community mills; these changes allow us to grow accordingly and better meet customer needs.”