US-based Coffee Holding Co. will close its Comfort Foods manufacturing facility in Massachusetts at the end of the month. Amid waning sales for its Harmony Bay brand, the wholesale coffee roaster and dealer will shift production at the North Andover site to its Second Empire plant in Port Chester, New York. In a statement yesterday (8 October), president and CEO Andrew Gordon said the move will “improve efficiencies by providing us with both manufacturing and logistical cost savings”. Coffee Holding acq ...

Core Viewpoint - Coffee Holding Co., Inc. is closing its Comfort Foods manufacturing facility in North Andover, Massachusetts, due to declining sales and profitability in the coffee industry, particularly for regional brands like Harmony Bay [1][5]. Company Strategy - The acquisition of Comfort Foods in 2017 was initially seen as a strategic move to enhance production capabilities on the East Coast, which was essential for competitiveness after the closure of the Brooklyn facility in 2009 [2][3]. - The company has successfully reestablished relationships with large East Coast supermarket chains, contributing to a rebound in annual revenues [4]. Sales and Profitability Challenges - The Harmony Bay product line has experienced a steady decline in sales, attributed to major supermarket chains reducing shelf space for regional brands in favor of national brands, leading to decreased profitability at Comfort Foods [5]. - Despite the challenges, the facility was still relied upon for producing products for new private label customers and increased sales of Café Caribe and Café Supremo Espressos [5]. Operational Improvements - Following the acquisition of Empire Coffee Company, the company plans to consolidate production at the Second Empire facility in Port Chester, New York, which is expected to improve manufacturing and logistical efficiencies [6]. - The closure of the Massachusetts facility is projected to yield annualized net savings of approximately $700,000 by eliminating redundant manufacturing operations on the East Coast [7]. Company Overview - Coffee Holding Co., Inc. is a leading integrated wholesale coffee roaster and dealer in the U.S., offering a wide range of coffee products across various consumer segments and also importing green coffee beans for resale [8].