Aunt Millie's, maker of Sunbeam brand bread, will close its baking plant in Fort Wayne, Ind.

FORT WAYNE, IND. — Aunt Millie’s Bakeries, a family-owned company that makes bread and bakery products, will cease operations at its baking plant in Fort Wayne. The closing will take place in phases, beginning this month with complete shuttering expected by April 2018.

The plant closing is expected to affect 91 bakery employees. Aunt Millie’s said it will continue to operate six other bakeries in the Midwest, and its headquarters will remain in Fort Wayne, with about 120 administrative employees.

John Popp, president of Aunt Millie’s

“Due to the current business environment and after undertaking a capacity and logistical analysis, we determined we need to close our Fort Wayne bakery,” said John F. Popp, president of Aunt Millie’s. “This is a critical step in reducing excess capacity and costs, to allow ourselves to maintain our leadership position in the baking industry. We reached this extremely difficult but necessary decision after thoroughly exploring other options.”

Jay Miller, chief financial officer, added, “Aunt Millie’s and Sunbeam high-quality products will continue to be baked at our other six bakeries. Our customers will still be able to find their favorite bread at grocery stores throughout the Midwest.”