Kraft brand acquisitions spur Wrigley realignment.(NEWS)

CHICAGO -- Altoids, LifeSavers, CreamSavers, Sugus and a number of regional and local brands are now the official property of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. The company purchased the brands from Kraft Foods Global, Inc. in a $1.46 billion deal that closed in early July. The announcement also ends speculation about the fate of the Trolli brand's North American marketing rights and Creston, IA, production facility, which Wrigley says are now for sale.

Noting that the purchase significantly reinforces the company's position in the world market, Bill Wrigley, Jr., chairman and CEO, says: "With our confectionery expertise and focus, we look for these newly acquired brands to flourish under Wrigley's global umbrella. They have a rich heritage and are well-loved and well-known as quality products by our customers and consumers."

As part of the acquisition, Wrigley says it will discontinue production of Altoids during the next six to nine months at its newly acquired facility in Bridgend, Wales, and transfer production to the former Kraft plant in Chattanooga, TN, that currently produces CreamSavers and GummiSavers. Also slated for closing in the next 18 months are the existing Wrigley chewing gum plant in Chicago and the company's L.A. Dreyfus gum base facility in Edison, NJ. North American gum base production will be consolidated in the company's Gainesville, GA, plant.

Production currently handled at the Chicago plant, Wrigley's oldest and least efficient facility, will be moved to a newer facility in Yorkville, IL. The Chicago facility employs about 600, some of whom the company says will have the opportunity to transfer to other facilities. Severance, early retirement and outplacement will also be made available.

Darrell Splitoff, senior vice-president, says: "While this is a hard choice to make, we believe the decision is in the best interests of our overall business and is ...