Business From Across South Florida: Hoo knew? - Manufacturing

South Florida CEO, Dec, 2003

Ever wonder where Yoo-hoo--that yummy chocolately drink that's been around for years--came from? Well whaddaya know--it was made right here. Over in Hialeah, a crew of 30 has been brewing up the concoction that's had a cult-like clientele for years. No more, however, since the top brass at parent company Cadbury Schweppes has decided to consolidate the drink's production. The Hialeah plant, which pumped out 48 million bottles a year of the stuff, has been shut down. Steve Jarmon, vice president of partner marketing for Mott's Inc. (the Cadbury subsidiary that handles sales and marketing of Yoo-hoo), says another plant will be taking over production duties. In the rural Lousiana town of Opelousas, they're adding 18 employees to keep the supply flowing. Boo hoo for Hialeah.

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