One Of Nation's Largest Food Distributors Plans Inland Empire Layoffs

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA — A 130-year-old food distribution company with a massive national footprint plans to cut nearly 100 people at one of its Inland Empire facilities, state records show.

According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing with California's Employment Development Department, Texas-based McLane Company Inc. will permanently lay off 97 employees from its Rancho Cucamonga distribution facility located at 9408 Richmond Place. The filing was made late last month; the cuts are expected to occur by Jan. 27.

There was no word on what led to the layoffs. A message seeking comment was left with the company.

Founded in 1894, McLane touts itself as one of the largest distributors in America, serving convenience stores, mass merchants and chain restaurants. The company has more than 80 distribution centers across the country, employs more than 25,000 people, and delivers to nearly every zip code in the United States, according to its website.

In addition to the Rancho Cucamonga facility, McLane has four other Inland Empire distribution centers, including two in Riverside, one in Ontario, and another in San Bernardino. No other California region has more McLane locations.

The recent WARN report is the only one McLane has filed in the state over the last year.

McLane's humble beginnings as a Texas retail grocery business that relied on horses and buggies, and later trains, for its deliveries, is now a corporate giant.

In 1990, McLane was acquired by Walmart, and then in 2003, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. acquired the company from the big-box retailer. Today, McLane is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire.

It's unclear whether automation played a role in the Rancho Cucamonga layoffs. McLane has incorporated innovative advancements at its warehouses to "stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving logistics industry," according to its website.

The company reports it has implemented automated warehouse systems, including robotics and artificial intelligence, designed to increase efficiency and accuracy.

"This not only allows us to process orders faster, but it also helps to reduce errors and improve safety for our warehouse teammates," according to the McLane website.