Folgers® Re-opens New Orleans Coffee Production Plant
President Bush and Louisiana Governor Tour Facility and Meet with Employees
NEW ORLEANS, LA, Sept. 20, 2005—The Procter & Gamble Company's Folgers brand (NYSE:PG) today announced the resumption of production at its New Orleans coffee production plant, with the intention of ultimately bringing every one of more than 500 employees back to their jobs. One production line was operational today, with others to be added in over the coming months. The Company is strongly committed to remaining in the New Orleans area, where it has had a presence for 45 years, and where it produces more than 50 percent of its coffee.
Both President George W. Bush and Governor Kathleen Blanco visited the Folgers New Orleans coffee plant this week as employees restarted roasting and production activities, a welcome sign of economic revitalization in the hurricane-damaged area.
"We're very excited to re-open our plant here in New Orleans, and we are proud to be one of the first companies to get back to work after Hurricane Katrina. None of this could possibly have happened without the tireless efforts of our employees," said Doug McGraw, Vice President Global Coffee for P&G.
P&G has donated over $8 million in product and cash donations to The American Red Cross and America's Second Harvest. In addition, the Company has created a fund to accept employee donations that will ultimately go to community organizations in New Orleans.
"We're dedicated to not just rebuilding our plant but to helping New Orleans get back on its feet," Mr. McGraw added.
As part of the effort to help its employees get back on their feet, the plant organization has secured 150 trailers to be used as temporary housing and will provide free meals to employees. P&G is continuing to pay all of its employees affected in the region and to provide health benefits. It has also instituted a $5,000 employee no-interest loan program to enable employees to immediately access cash.
"It is critically important that we support our employees through this period. Our intent is to provide a sense of security and a base from which to recover from the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina," said Emory Zimmer, Folgers Plant Manager.
A special hotline has been set up for P&G employees in the affected area to obtain information (1.866.345.0395).
"We're happy to announce that all of our employees have been located and are safe," said Bonnie Lemoine, P&G External Relations Leader for the State of Louisiana. "Our employees' well-being and safety has been our priority and, now that we've heard from all of them, we can concentrate on helping them rebuild their lives."
Despite their own hardships, more than 80 percent of the P&G employees located in the region are involved in volunteer efforts in the many shelters set up around the community. Further, many of the employees who still have homes are furnishing living space for displaced families.
About P&G (NYSE:PG)
Two billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Pringles®, Folgers®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Actonel®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, and Wella. The P&G community consists of almost 110,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.